Deadly sexually transmitted diarrhoea disease especially among gay and bisexual men on the rise in UK

Health experts in the United Kingdom have raised concerns over the growing spread of Shigella, a bacterial infection that can be transmitted through sexual contact and is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics.

The warning follows findings by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the University of Cambridge, which identified a sharp rise in sexually transmitted Shigella infections, particularly among some gay and bisexual men.

Shigella is commonly spread through contact with contaminated faeces, including via contaminated food or water, touching contaminated surfaces and then the mouth, or close contact with an infected person. However, health officials say sexual transmission has become an increasingly significant route of infection in recent years.

The infection causes symptoms including severe diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever. People who suspect they may have contracted the disease are advised to seek medical attention through a GP or sexual health clinic for testing and treatment.

According to the UKHSA, 2,560 cases of Shigella potentially linked to sexual transmission were recorded last year, highlighting a growing public health concern.

Researchers found that sexually transmitted strains of the bacteria spread more rapidly than those transmitted through other routes. The study showed that sexually transmitted Shigella strains travelled an average distance of 72 miles (117 kilometres), compared with 28 miles (46 kilometres) for non-sexually transmitted strains.

The findings, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, also highlighted shortcomings in current public health messaging. Researchers noted that standard advice focusing on handwashing and food hygiene does not adequately address the risks associated with sexual transmission.

Professor Kate Baker, senior author of the study from the University of Cambridge's Department of Genetics, warned that increasing antibiotic resistance is making the infection significantly more difficult to treat.

"We're in a situation where it's virtually untreatable with drugs," she said.

Unlike common food poisoning or short-lived stomach viruses, which Shigella is often mistaken for, the infection can last for a week or longer. Globally, the disease is estimated to cause more than 200,000 deaths each year, underscoring the need for improved awareness, prevention and surveillance.