Health experts warn of rising sexually transmitted shigellosis cases in the UK
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A study has identified a significant rise in shigellosis, a bacterial gut infection spread through sexual contact. Experts have warned that the condition is spreading rapidly and poses a distinct threat to public health.
Amalgamated from Sky News (opens in new tab), Daily Mail (opens in new tab), The Sun (opens in new tab)
Health experts have identified shigellosis, a bacterial gut infection that can be spread through sexual contact, as a distinct public health threat in the United Kingdom. Reports indicate that cases of this illness are spreading rapidly across the country.
According to reporting from the Daily Mail, the prevalence of shigellosis has risen by approximately 25 percent in England since 2023. These reports also note that some forms of the disease are becoming "virtually untreatable" as it becomes more common.
The Sun reported that the infection typically presents with symptoms such as diarrhea and other related complications. Experts cited in reports from Sky News warned that the rapid growth of these infections constitutes a specific threat to public health, potentially complicating the management of sexually transmitted gastrointestinal infections.
Why this matters
The rising prevalence of difficult-to-treat shigellosis could increase the burden on healthcare systems and may necessitate updated protocols for managing sexually transmitted gastrointestinal infections.
What's confirmed / what isn't
Each fact in this report originates from a different news outlet; no two reporting outlets corroborated the same specific data point.
Background
Shigellosis is an intestinal infection caused by bacteria of the genus Shigella. While it is commonly spread through contaminated food or water, it can also be transmitted via sexual contact.