Doctors across the U.S. are warning about a rise in Shigella infections, which can cause severe symptoms like bloody diarrhea and fever. The disease is highly contagious and drug-resistant strains are becoming more common, particularly affecting white men. Each year, there are 450,000 cases of Shigella in the U.S., leading to 38 deaths annually. Treatment options for drug-resistant strains are limited, with some infections resistant even to government-approved oral antibiotics. Prevention includes proper handwashing and avoiding contaminated food or water. Sexual contact involving the anus increases risk among certain groups.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-09,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Cases of Shigella, a highly contagious bacterial disease that causes severe diarrhea and other symptoms like fever and stomach cramps, are on the rise across the U.S.. This illness is increasingly resistant to antibiotics, making it harder to treat. According to doctors from health departments nationwide, white men have become the most susceptible group to infections from drug-resistant Shigella strains.
Shigellosis, caused by bacteria of the genus *Shigella*, results in around 450,000 cases and 38 deaths annually in the U.S., according to the medical textbook Merck Manuals. In April, a federal report noted that drug-resistant Shigella strains are particularly dangerous due to their high transmission potential. A recent case involved a child in Louisiana who was diagnosed with Shigella after swimming in a lake, as reported by KALB.
The emergence of these resistant strains and changing demographics of those affected could lead hospitals to adjust how they handle and report such illnesses promptly for better prevention strategies.
Written for “STDi Outbreak Resistant To Medicine” on 2026-10-09,
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Cases of the highly contagious and often drug-resistant bacterial disease, Shigella, are rising across the U.S., with dozens of doctors issuing warnings.
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dozens → rise → warnings
Shigella infections, known as shigellosis, can cause bloody diarrhea, dysentery, fever, vomiting, dehydration, stomach cramps, seizures, blood infections and in rare cases, death.
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infections → know → cases
Experts have long been aware that drug-resistant strains of Shigella disproportionately cause severe illness in children under the age of 5.
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strains → cause → 5
But doctors from health departments across the U.S. announced in April that white men are now the most susceptible to infections from drug resistant Shigella.
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men → announce → Shigella
That findings could change the way hospitals respond to the pervasive illness, the doctors noted in a federal report.
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doctors → change → report
A Louisiana child was diagnosed with Shigella after swimming in a lake last month, according to KALB.
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child → diagnose → KALB
The majority of people recover by drinking water and the electrolyte-rich drink Pedialyte, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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majority → recover → Clinic
But serious infections, which can last for months, may require antibiotics to reduce the severity and length of symptoms.
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which → last → symptoms
That can be a problem for the 242,000 people who have drug resistant strains of Shigella each year, per CDC data.
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who → have → data
Options for treating drug resistant strains are limited to just a couple of drugs, such as ceftriaxone and pivmecillinam.
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Options → treat → ceftriaxone
The federal report also notes that there has been higher transmission of an “excessively drug resistant” strain over the last decade, for which there is no government-approved oral antibiotic.
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report → note → which
It remains unclear how many of the annual drug-resistant infections are due to the excessive strain.
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many → remain → strain
“The high transmission potential of XDR Shigella strains highlights the importance of susceptibility testing and timely reporting of this nationally notifiable disease for prevention,” the doctors wrote.
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doctors → highlight → prevention
There are currently no vaccines available to treat infections, but a candidate provided high-level protection among U.S. adults in a two week clinical trial, researchers said in July.
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researchers → be → July
The key to staying safe is remaining aware and taking steps to prevent possible infections, the clinic says.
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clinic → stay → infections
Shigella spreads from person to person by touching or swallowing things infected by the bacteria.
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Shigella → spread → bacteria
Exposure can occur when you touch your mouth or consume tainted food or drinks.
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you → occur → food
The bacteria also spreads during sexual contact that involves the anus, putting men who have sex with men at a higher risk of infection.
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who → spread → infection
People who are homeless and have reduced access to clean water and toilets are also at a higher risk.
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who → reduce → risk
A few simple steps can prevent illness.
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steps → prevent → illness
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before you eat, engage in sexual activity or change a diaper, according to the clinic.
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you → wash → clinic
Avoiding sexual contact for at least two weeks with anyone who has diarrhea or who recently recovered from diarrhea is also advised.
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who → avoid → diarrhea
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