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Dysentery, The Diarrhea-inducing Bacterial Infection, On The Rise In Oregon

Dying of dysentery is now more than just a video game meme in Oregon.

In a disgusting turn of events straight out of the "Oregon Trail" game, the diarrhea-inducing malady dysentery is making a stomach-churning comeback in a densely populated region of the state.

Cases of the hyper-contagious bacterial disease have surged in Multnomah County, with health officials reporting 40 cases of the wretched sickness in January, according to the Multnomah County Health Department, KOIN reported. 

Cases of dysentery is on the rise in a densely populated region of Oregon. NEXT-Ai – stock.Adobe.Com

The infection, also known as shigellosis, can spread through exposure with infected feces, contaminated food or water, or sexual contact – with person-to-person the most common form of transmission, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Officials said 56% of the most recent cluster are believed to be among the homeless, with other cases linked to methamphetamine or opiate usage, the outlet reported. 

"When you don't have housing, it is harder to prevent infectious disease and harder to access care to treat disease compared to if you are housed," the health agency told the outlet in a statement. 

"This rise in Shigella cases over recent years is concerning and is a result of multiple pathways of transmission. Investments made in public health are critical for monitoring and slowing the spread of the disease."

Strains of the infection circulating in Oregon are resistant to various forms of antibiotics, with patients also experiencing fever, vomiting and cramps, the outlet reported. 

Officials, however, have not found evidence of the more severe strain that can often lead to death. 

Multnomah County reported 40 cases of the stomach churring illness in January. Josemaria Toscano – stock.Adobe.Com In a turn of events straight out of the "Oregon Trail" game, the disease is making a stomach-churning comeback in the state. MECC

Cases of the illness have been on the rise in the state's smallest and most populous county since 2012, with an elevated spike of a whopping 158 infections reported in 2024, according to data provided to the outlet.

Data shows 35 dysentery cases were reported in December compared to the 3 recorded in July.

County officials are providing short-term housing to those suffering from the misery-inducing illness, stressing access to hygiene and sanitation will help curb the spread of infections, the outlet reported. 

The Multnomah County Health Department did not immediately respond to The Post's request for comment.

Dysentery Outbreak In Oregon Leaves At Least 40 Sickened — And Likely Many More, Experts Say

Cases of dysentery are surging in Oregon, with 40 people sickened by the disease in the Portland area in January alone.

There were 158 cases of the illness in Multnomah County in 2024, Oregon Live reported, adding that those cases were among people who hadn't left the country — meaning, it was contracted in the states. And although there were 40 confirmed cases, officials told the outlet they suspect the actual number of cases is much higher among the city's homeless population.

"Any situation where [you are] unable to wash your hands regularly will put you at risk for [the bacteria which causes dysentery] shigella and I think unsheltered homelessness certainly contributes to people just really not having places to do that," Dr. Amanda Risser, a senior medical director for the health care and housing services agency Central City Concern, told OL.

Stock image of someone with stomach pain.

Getty

Cases of dysentery in Multnomah County have been steadily rising since 2012, KOIN reports, sharing that 2023 is when the illness exploded in the area. Cases more than doubled that year, going from 43 in 2022 to 96 in 2023.

The bacterial illness's connection to Oregon became memeified, thanks to its presence in the '80s video game Oregon Trail — where unsuspecting players were often notified they "died of dysentery," as the illness can cause dehydration. But beyond the punchline is a serious illness that's extremely contagious: Symptoms of dysentery —or shigellosis — include frequent, possibly bloody diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control says, adding that it "spreads easily."

Stock image of the "Oregon Trail" meme.

Courtesy of HarperCollins Productions

Much like norovirus, "Shigella germs are in poop, so anything that gets contaminated by poop can potentially spread the germs," the CDC says. 

As OL reports, a lack of public restrooms may be fueling the spread of dysentery, reporting that there are only 116 public restrooms, several of which are locked at night or in the wintertime due to risk of the pipes freezing. There are more than 11,000 people experiencing homelessness in the area, a Multnomah County report from June 2024 says.

Dysentery is generally treated with antibiotics, but OL reports that the strains circulating in Multnomah County are resistant to treatment.

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