Health experts are warning about a sharp rise in drug-resistant Shigella infections among gay and bisexual men in England, with London, Brighton and Manchester identified as key hotspots. While Shigella is not classified as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), it can spread during sexual activity involving contact with tiny amounts of faecal matter, and some strains are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics.
According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), laboratory diagnoses of sexually acquired Shigella rose sharply in 2025, with 2,560 cases recorded.
