Updated March 16, 2026

City of Edmonton Shigella Outbreak

Medical Officers of Health within the Government of Alberta's department of Primary and Preventative Health Services (PPHS) in collaboration with Alberta Health Services' (AHS) Environmentally Acquired Disease Control Team (EADCT) have been conducting enhanced surveillance of Shigella cases among underhoused residents in Edmonton following the conclusion of the 2022 Shigella outbreak in 2025.

On March 9, 2026, a new outbreak investigation of Shigella has been initiated among inner city residents experiencing homelessness. Seven cases have been identified to date in 2026. No deaths associated with this outbreak have been reported.

Public health teams are actively investigating and managing this situation. A public health task force involving multiple partner organizations is being reactivated to support outbreak control efforts and help limit the spread of illness within the community.

Shigella is a disease that's commonly associated with diarrhea, as well as fever, nausea and stomach cramps. It can cause severe illness, resulting in hospitalization and it spreads when someone comes into contact with fecal matter from an infected person and also by eating food contaminated with the bacteria.

Please continue the following preventive measures to avoid the spread of infection:

• Maintain personal hygiene
• Sanitary disposal and/or laundering of items contaminated with feces
• Wash hands carefully after washroom use and sexual contact, and before preparing or eating food
• Clean and sanitize food contact surfaces such as cutting boards, counter tops and utensils
• Proper food and equipment handling, food preparation, and hand washing
• Avoid handling food for others if ill with diarrhea
• Proper and frequent cleaning of washrooms (see Public Health Recommendations for Environmental Cleaning in Public Facilities)
• For healthcare professionals, it is important to continue to test any patient that has new or worsening diarrheal illness who is suspected to be linked to the outbreak. If you have questions about testing, please contact the Microbiologist on-call.

If you have questions, email moh.edmonton@ahs.ca.