The surge in the extremely contagious bacterial illness in Portland is linked to the number of people experiencing homelessness.

Dysentery cases are on the rise in the Portland area. In January, health officials reported 40 cases of the highly contagious bacterial infection in Multnomah County, where Portland is located — up from 17 in January 2024,

Dysentery rates have been rising among the Portland population since 2023, and is attributed largely to a lack of public restroom facilities.

Dying of dysentery is now more than just a video game meme in Oregon. In a disgusting turn of events straight out of the “Oregon Trail” game, the diarrhea-inducing malady dysentery is making a stomach-churning comeback in a densely populated region of the state.

That is more than double the number of dysentery cases seen during the same time last year. Cases of the disease have been rising steadily over the last few years: There were 158