Antibiotic-Resistant Dysentery Outbreak Escalates in Portland, Oregon

The highly contagious bacterial illness is disproportionately affecting homeless populations and those with limited access to sanitation.

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.