The city of Portland, Oregon, is grappling with an outbreak of a highly contagious disease that spreads through feces and puts the city's large homeless population at high risk, health officials said.
“Although we are currently seeing an increase in rubella cases in the Portland metropolitan area, the risk to the general public remains low at this time and there is no action most people should take at this time. The best we can all do is “Continuing good hand hygiene is important to prevent both respiratory viral illnesses and diarrheal illnesses,” Multnomah County Health Deputy Teresa Everson said in a comment to FOX News Digital. Stated.
Multnomah County health officials told FOX News Digital on Thursday that Portland and the surrounding area will record 227 cases of rubella in 2023, 45 of which occurred in December alone. It is said that he did. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes Shigella as a bacterium that is present in feces and can be infectious if ingested. The disease can cause prolonged bloody diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and “a feeling of needing to pass stool even when the bowels are empty.”
Staphylococcus rubra can be transmitted through sex, drinking contaminated water, changing diapers, or caring for someone who is sick. The number of rubella cases has increased in recent years in the counties surrounding Portland, with a 131% jump in 2023 compared to 2021, according to data provided by Multnomah County.
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Tents cover a plaza near the Steel Bridge on July 7, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. (Hannah Rae Lambert/Fox News Digital)
“Across Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas Counties, there were 98 red rash cases in 2021, 150 in 2022 and 227 in 2023,” according to data provided by the county.
Oregon Public Broadcasting reported last month that homeless people in Portland accounted for the majority of cases, and health leaders found that sexual intercourse was likely the most common way the bacteria was transmitted. .
“Staphylococcus rubra spreads very easily. Even a small amount is enough to make someone sick.”
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Although many of the cases have occurred in Portland's Old Town neighborhood, a spokesperson for the Multnomah County Health Department said there is “no clear geography of cases” indicating the disease is isolated to a single area of the city. There is no pattern.”
In a warning to residents last month, Multnomah County said, “Russia fungus can spread from one person's infected poop to another person's mouth through food, water, contaminated objects or surfaces, or sexual intercourse. “By entering, it will spread.” “Staphylococcus rubra spreads very easily. Even a small amount is enough to make someone sick.”
A homeless encampment near downtown Portland, Oregon is shown. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchell Dyer/File)
The Portland Police Bureau's Bicycle Squad is reminding people to wash their hands and take extra precautions in response to the outbreak.
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“Old Town is experiencing an increase in cases of rubella, a disease spread through feces that causes fever, stomach cramps, and diarrhea containing blood and pus,” the police force announced on Instagram late last month. “If you live or work in this area, wash your hands frequently and consider not bringing shoes inside your home or tent.”
“Across Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas Counties, there were 98 red rash cases in 2021, 150 in 2022 and 227 in 2023,” according to data provided by the county. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images/CDC)
County health officials are asking the public not to worry about the recent cluster unless they are in a specific population most likely to be affected by the disease.
“I want people to not feel insecure in general unless they belong to a specific group,” Everson said in previous comments to KGW. “We have never seen cases of unexplained infections in the general population. Most of the cases we are seeing are related to sexual activity and some are related to travel. .Therefore, there have been no cases of infection, which would suggest to us a risk to the general public.”
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The CDC outlines on its website that homeless people, gay and bisexual men, international travelers, parents, and sexually active people are most at risk for the disease.
The city of Portland, Oregon, is grappling with an outbreak of a highly contagious disease that spreads through feces and puts the city's large homeless population at high risk, health officials said. (AP Photo/Don Ryan, File)
County health officials are leading the investigation, but a spokesperson for the Oregon Health Authority said in comments to Fox News Digital that state officials are “assisting local health officials, including Multnomah County, with their investigations.” he added. Occurrence of clusters and infectious diseases. ”
Portland has long had a large homeless population, and while some families have fled the city as homeless camps have moved closer to their homes, some business owners are worried about the city's crime and It has led to people speaking out about overt drug use.
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A study released last month by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development examining homelessness in the United States in 2023 found that Oregon had the second-highest rate of unsheltered homelessness. Homelessness is generally defined as opposed to people sleeping on the streets or in parks. Go to the evacuation center. The study found that there are an estimated 20,142 homeless people in Oregon, 13,004 of whom are classified as unsheltered homeless.
The survey is a “point-in-time” aggregate report, recording the number of people living on the streets or in shelters on a single night in January 2023. Federal data only provide a snapshot and often incomplete picture of homelessness. Because it's difficult to find each homeless person in a city or state.
“Cases like this can occur because it's difficult to access bathrooms, handwash sinks, and soap when you're not at home,” Everson previously told KGW about the rubella population. “And unhoused community members are generally at higher risk for infectious diseases because they are in poorer health than the general population.”
The CDC describes Shigella as a bacteria that is present in feces and can be infectious if ingested. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
Health officials said Multnomah County will provide temporary housing in hotels and motels to homeless people infected with the disease “so they can recover and receive maximum support to reduce the chance of spread.” He said he is doing so. People with medical conditions also have the option of turning down temporary housing. The county said no one is required to quarantine or quarantine.
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In a comment to FOX News Digital, the county said, “We are monitoring the numbers daily and are proactively communicating with the public and those at increased risk about interventions to help prevent the spread of rubella.” We are communicating effectively.”
