Key Summary
- UK Health Security Agency reports a rise in sexually transmitted Shigella infection cases, with numbers increasing year-on-year.
- Most cases are antibiotic-resistant, making the infection harder to treat and raising public health concerns.
- Experts urge better hygiene, safer sex, and testing, especially for those with symptoms like diarrhoea, cramps, or fever.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported a spike in cases of sexually transmitted Shigella, and many of the cases are antibiotics resistant.
Compared to the 2,052 cases reported in 2023 and the 2,318 cases in 2024, 2,560 cases were reported in 2025.
Shigella is a bacterial gut infection spread via close contact with the infected person, such as sex, through unwashed hands, etc., predominantly found in gay and bisexual men (GNMSM).
Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri, are the two common variants of the infection spread through sexual contact among GBMSM.
This bacteria commonly found in faeces, is raising alarm with its capacity to resist antibiotics.
According to the UKHSA data, 86 per cent of Shigella sonnei samples and 94 per cent of Shigella flexneri samples tested showed resistance to antibiotics last year.
Health issues like diarrhea (sometimes with blood), stomach cramps and fever, which resembles food poisoning, appearing within 1 to 4 days are the common symptoms of the infection.
Appropriate care like rest, hydration, avoiding sex for at least seven days, avoiding spas, swimming pools, Jacuzzis, hot tubs, sharing towels and even cooking for other people are necessary for a complete recovery from the condition.
“The rise in sexually transmitted Shigella cases is concerning, but the risks of catching it can be reduced by good hygiene during and after sex and condom use – helping to protect yourself and your partners,” commented Dr Katy Sinka, head of STI section at UKHSA.
She added, “It is important that gay and bisexual men do not dismiss their symptoms and advice on self-care and preventing dehydration can be found on the NHS website by searching Dysentery. “
Along with Shigella, UKHSA’s latest provisional quarterly STI surveillance data for England also indicates the rise of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea and syphilis.
It has urged the public to utilise the free testing available in the local sexual health clinics for these infections to stay safe.
Dr Sinka said, “Those diagnosed with Shigella may also have been exposed to other sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, so a sexual health screening - at a clinic or by ordering tests online - is recommended.”
