Experts Warn Rising Shigella Cases Represent a Growing Public Health Concern

Health experts are warning that sexually transmitted cases of shigella, a bacterial gut infection that causes diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever, should be treated as a distinct public health threat as cases continue to rise in England and antibiotic resistance increases.

Shigella is the bacteria responsible for dysentery and is most commonly spread through contact with contaminated food, water or faecal matter. However, certain strains, including Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri, can also be transmitted through sexual contact, particularly among gay and bisexual men.

Researchers have reported that sexually transmitted strains are spreading more rapidly than other forms of the infection, prompting calls for greater awareness among healthcare professionals and public health teams. According to UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) surveillance data, there were 2,560 sexually transmitted shigella cases reported in England during 2025, compared with 2,052 cases in 2023.

Experts are also concerned about increasing antimicrobial resistance. UKHSA reports that more than half of Shigella sonnei isolates linked to sexually transmitted infection in 2025 were extensively drug resistant, meaning they showed resistance to all three first-line antibiotic treatment options commonly used for shigellosis.

Symptoms of shigella infection typically include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, fever and, in some cases, bloody diarrhoea. While many infections resolve without complications, some people require hospital treatment, particularly if they become dehydrated or develop more severe illness.

UKHSA advises anyone experiencing symptoms to seek medical advice. People with shigella should avoid preparing food for others, stay away from work, school or nursery until they have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours, and avoid sexual contact during this period to help prevent onward transmission. Thorough hand hygiene remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of infection.

The findings highlight the importance of continued surveillance, infection prevention measures and public health education as healthcare professionals respond to changing patterns of infectious disease and growing concerns around antimicrobial resistance.

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