Public health officials believe Shigella virus may have been spread through one or more Eureka laundromats after an infected person washed contaminated clothing at the facility

I have reached out to DHHS media  for more information and three specific questions.

I asked:

1. is DHHS only contacting those two laundromats?

2. Are other laundromats being contacted/investigated?

3. Can you give more details on how the infected person using the facility exposed others?

Christine Messinger responded:

1. Yes
2. Yes, and DEH is in the process of providing signage.
3. No, we can’t provide specific medical information about any individual.

At 2:36 p.m. DHHS issued this update:

"The news release DHHS issued this morning regarding local Shigella cases incorrectly identified shigellosis as a virus. In fact, shigellosis is an infection caused by the bacteria Shigella. We regret the error."

Press Release:

Public and Environmental Health officials are working to contain local cases of the gastrointestinal illness Shigella bacteria, after three lab-confirmed cases and two more suspected cases infected Eureka residents during the past month.

The cases span multiple households, infecting school-age children and adults, including a person experiencing homelessness.

Officials believe the virus may have been spread through one or more Eureka laundromats, after an infected person washed contaminated clothing at the facility.

Environmental Health officials are working closely with the operators of the two laundromats, the Self-Serve Laundromat on Summer Street and Eureka Laundromat on Little Fairfield Street, to make sure their facilities are cleaned and disinfected properly. 

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 infected with 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. 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 jobs while sick 

Abstain from sharing food 

Abstain from swimming and hot tubs

Abstain from having sex for at least two weeks after symptoms resolve.