Overview

• Portland, Oregon, has reported 40 cases of dysentery in January 2025, with actual numbers likely higher due to underreporting in vulnerable populations.
• The outbreak is linked to unsheltered homelessness, with 56% of cases involving homeless individuals and 55% involving drug users, according to health officials.
• Shigella strains in the region are resistant to multiple antibiotics, complicating treatment efforts and raising public health concerns.
• Experts emphasize that limited access to public restrooms and handwashing facilities is exacerbating the spread of the disease.
• Health officials recommend increasing sanitation infrastructure and public health investments to curb the outbreak and prevent future cases.