2012 Outbreak of Shigella sonnei Infections at a Private Bridge Club, California

In May 2012 the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health investigated an outbreak of shigellosis associated with a private bridge club. Thirty nine cases were identified among club members with diarrhea and four among club workers. The average age of affected persons was 75.3 years (range 54-98 years); 55% were female. Ten patients were hospitalized. No specific exposures implicated a source for the outbreak. Among the 43 cases, 14 were culture-confirmed. Ten isolates were analyzed by PFGE and were indistinugishable. Four isolates displayed resistance to streptomycin, sulfisoxazole, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

Overview

Outbreak began:May 2012
Affected country:US
States/territories:CA
Pathogen:Shigella
Vehicle(s):Unknown
Location(s):Private Club
Molecular test results:Not reported

Health impact

Total ill:43
Number hospitalized:10

Sources & documents

Outbreak documents