Cambridge Study Says Sexually Transmitted Shigella Is Spreading Faster in UK
Researchers found sexually transmitted strains rose 15% faster a year and 70% resisted at least one antibiotic, UK health officials said.
- On June 20, 2026, the University of Cambridge and the UK Health Security Agency identified sexually transmitted Shigella as a "distinct public health threat," urging targeted clinical screening and prevention strategies.
- Researchers found sexually transmitted strains spread 117 kilometers over 2.5 years—more than twice as fast as non-sexual strains—while more than 70 percent resisted at least one clinically relevant antibiotic.
- In 2025, reported cases of sexually transmitted Shigella in England rose to 2,560, up from 2,318 in 2024 and 2,052 in 2023, highlighting accelerating transmission.
- Marc Tweed of the Terrence Higgins Trust called the rise a "real cause for concern," urging individuals to contact a local sexual health clinic if symptoms arise.
- Professor Kate Baker advises avoiding sexual activity for two weeks after recovery, emphasizing this protocol is critical to curbing transmission among the most affected communities.
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22 Articles
An analysis of samples collected in England between 2016 and 2021 showed that sexually transferable Shigella strains had developed resistance to important antibiotics.
Warning to Britons as sexually transmitted gut infection now a 'distinct public health treat'
A new study has identified sexually transmitted shigella as a "distinct public health threat" facing Britain, with researchers warning the bacterial infection is spreading at an alarming rate.The research, conducted jointly by the University of Cambridge and the UK Health Security Agency, reveals that cases transmitted through sexual contact have risen significantly in recent years.UKHSA data shows infections climbed from 2,052 in 2023 to 2,560 …
Sexually transmitted gut infection shigella a 'distinct public health threat' to UK, experts warn
Shigella, which causes diarrhoea and stomach cramps, is most commonly found in faeces and contracted through contaminated food, but can also be spread through sexual contact.
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