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Venereal transmission of shigellosis in Seattle-King county
Abstract:
In the past, shigellosis in Seattle-King County has been primarily a disease of children, their parients, and foreign travelers. During the 18 months beginning in July 1975, an outbreak of shigellosis in Seattle's community of gay men involved both Shigella flexneri and Shigella sonnei. They accounted for nearly 30% of all cases of shigellosis reported to the health department. Fellatio and/or oral-anal contact was reported by 90% of the infected homosexual men; this was probably the mechanism of transmission of most infections. Intercity spread was determined by case histories and by the finding of S. flexneri 3, a previously unusual organism in Seattle.
Insights
An outbreak of shigellosis occurred in Seattle
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Shigellosis traditionally affected children, parents, and travelers in Seattle-King County.
- Previous outbreaks were not associated with the adult homosexual community.
Observation:
- An 18-month outbreak (starting July 1975) impacted Seattle's gay male community.
- This outbreak involved Shigella flexneri and Shigella sonnei, constituting 30% of reported cases.
Findings:
- Sexual practices, including fellatio and oral-anal contact, were reported by 90% of infected individuals.
- Sexual contact was identified as the primary transmission route.
- Intercity spread was confirmed through case histories and the identification of Shigella flexneri 3.
Implications:
- Highlights the role of specific sexual behaviors in infectious disease transmission.
- Underscores the need for targeted public health interventions within specific communities.
- Demonstrates the dynamic nature of infectious disease epidemiology and the emergence of new transmission patterns.