SANTA CRUZ — Cases of a bacterial infection known as Shigellosis have been reported in the county and prompted the relocation and possible postponement of the Santa Cruz Cookout, which was planned to be held Saturday in Harvey West Park in Santa Cruz.
“It is with a deep sense of responsibility and care that I, Ayo Banjo, head organizer of the Santa Cruz Cookout in collaboration with Black Health Matters Initiative, announce the postponement of this year’s event, originally scheduled for Saturday at Harvey West Park,” said Banjo in a statement released Wednesday evening. “This decision comes in light of a recent report by the city of Santa Cruz detailing a highly infectious Shigella bacteria outbreak within the park, attributed to the encampments. The safety of our community is paramount, and it is upon this principle that we must act to prevent any potential health risks that could arise from gathering at the affected location.”
According to a public health alert issued by the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency, since late [cq comment=”no hypen” ]January, at least four confirmed Shigellosis cases have been identified among individuals experiencing homelessness in Santa Cruz County.
The alert also states that, “Shigellosis is a diarrheal illness caused by the highly infectious Shigella bacteria, and infected persons can shed up to four weeks after illness,” and that “typical symptoms last 5 to 7 days and include watery or bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and malaise. Some infections can be quite severe, especially in young children, the elderly and the immunocompromised.”
According to the statement, severe symptoms can include dehydration, bacteremia and seizures. Most infections are transmitted person-to-person with a very low infectious dose via poor handwashing, food preparation[cq comment=”,” ] or contaminated water, and sexual transmission is also known to occur.
“People can protect themselves from respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses by washing their hands with soap and water carefully and frequently, especially after using the bathroom, after changing diapers and before preparing and consuming foods or beverages,” said Corinne Hyland, public information officer with Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency in an email. “In addition, stay home if you are sick.”
City spokesperson Erika Smart said that notices have been posted at Harvey West Park restroom facilities with an official health advisory from the county, but the city has not been advised to close the park at this time. Portable restrooms and handwashing stations were put in place near Friendship Garden in Harvey West Park to help control the spread of this illness.
Santa Cruz County Public Health is monitoring the situation and will continue to provide updates.
Unhoused people with symptoms are being referred to the Homeless Persons Health Project at 115A Coral St. in Santa Cruz, or can call 831-454-2080 for assistance.

Bacterial illness prompts concerns in Harvey West Park