Portland, Oregon is grappling with a sharp rise in dysentery cases, a disease many Americans know from the 1980s video game “Oregon Trail.” The real-world outbreak has reached concerning levels, with Multnomah County reporting 158 cases in 2024—a 62-case jump from 2023—and 40 new cases in January 2025 alone. The Numbers Tell a Troubling Story The current spread involves shigellosis, the most common form of dysentery caused by Shigella bacteria. County health data reveals that 56% of cases occur among people experiencing homelessness, while 55% of those affected report methamphetamine and/or opiate use. “Housing is related to nearly all aspects … Continue reading Portland’s Dysentery Cases Surge: 158 in 2024, 40 More in January