Public Health officials in two California counties are warning of the spread of two public health hazards – Shigella and Hepatitis A. Each of these “bugs” – one a bacteria and one a virus – are carried in human feces. For moral reasons we need to help make sure our fellow citizens have access to housing, good food, clean water and bathrooms.
We also need to recognize the health impacts on those same people and the financial impact on all of us do to inadequate health insurance coverage. We also need to be aware that these “bugs’ do not stay in homeless encampments but can and do spread into the larger community. Fixing a moral problem can also fix a public health problem.
Here are some recent announcements of an ongoing and nationwide problem. The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department and partners continue to respond to an outbreak of Shigella among individuals experiencing homelessness in Santa Clara County. As of Monday morning, nine people have tested positive for Shigella associated with this outbreak investigation, six of them were hospitalized, and 21 more suspected cases in the county have been identified.
Public Health is working with the City of San José and additional partners to prevent more people from becoming sick and to connect those who are sick to care. Public Health continues to provide guidance about the appropriate use of personal protective equipment, restroom sanitation, and safe food practices to partners working in and around e.
