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Press release from the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services:

Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) Environmental Health officials shutdown the Elks Lodge in Eureka for two weeks starting Wednesday, Sept. 11, after health requirements provided last week to avoid closure, following a Shigella outbreak, were unable to be met. 

Following the original outbreak, facility staff made sure the facility underwent a deep cleaning, and symptomatic individuals were directed not to participate in any food-related activities. However, it was recently discovered that some infected individuals continued to frequent the facility and serve food and drinks to patrons on at least two separate occasions. 

DHHS Public and Environmental Health staff have been working closely with Lodge employees for the past two weeks after it was discovered that attendees at an Elks dinner on Wednesday, Aug. 28, may have been exposed to the illness.

On Sept. 3, Public Health was notified of three confirmed cases and five suspected cases of shigellosis contracted by people who had attended the event. Since the original event, Public Health Communicable Disease staff have identified a total of six confirmed cases and 61 probable cases through their contact tracing efforts. 

Case numbers may continue to shift as individuals are tested through their health care providers and results become available to Public Health Communicable Disease staff for processing.  

Twenty-three individuals who attended the event went to the emergency room with symptoms and at least one was admitted. 
Individuals who have been at the facility in the past two weeks and are experiencing symptoms should contact Public Health. 

Earlier in August, there were at least three confirmed cases in the county. The two clusters do not appear to be connected.

Shigella germs are found in stool, and infection is spread by eating food or drinking liquids contaminated by an infected person, or when a person touches a contaminated surface or object and then touches their mouth or puts the object into their mouth. People who have contracted shigellosis typically experience a fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea which may be bloody.

Onset of shigellosis symptoms usually occurs one to two days after exposure—but may take longer—and lasts around a week. Infected people can remain contagious up to six weeks after symptoms resolve.

Most people with shigellosis recover completely without severe complications. People with weakened immune systems are at higher risk. In rare cases, Shigella may cause bloodstream infections, seizures, kidney failure or arthritis.

The best way to prevent the spread of shigellosis is to wash hands:

• Before, during and after preparing food
• Before eating 
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick
• After using the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
• After touching garbage
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After touching an animal, animal feed or animal waste
• After handling pet food or pet treats.

People with shigellosis should:

• Stay home from school or from health care, food service or childcare roles while sick 
• Abstain from sharing food 
• Abstain from swimming and hot tubs
• Abstain from having sex for at least two weeks after symptoms resolve. 

Anyone experiencing vomiting or diarrhea should wait until symptoms have resolved for 24 to 48 hours to avoid spread of stomach bugs or bacteria. It is especially important for individuals in health care, daycare and food services roles to follow these precautions. 

If you are experiencing symptoms, contact your primary care provider or call Public Health at 707-268-2182.