Health & MedicineTop StoryTop StoryLatest News
Drug-Resistant Shigella That Causes Diarrhoea Is Spreading as a Sexually Transmitted Infection in the US
Extensively drug-resistant Shigella is spreading in the US, particularly among gay and bisexual men. The CDC reports a rise in infections, with significant medical costs.
Confidence: 90%Sentiment: NeutralHigh Priority
What Happened?
Extensively drug-resistant Shigella is spreading in the US, particularly among gay and bisexual men. The CDC reports a rise in infections, with significant medical costs.
AI Quick Summary
Drug-resistant Shigella infections are rising in the US, particularly among gay and bisexual men, posing public health risks.
Key points
- Extensively drug-resistant Shigella made up 8.5% of US samples in 2023, up from 0% in 2011-2015.
- Shigella infections are endemic in some communities of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.
- The CDC estimates 450,000 Shigella infections occur annually in the US, costing about $93 million in medical expenses.
- No oral antimicrobial agents are FDA approved for treating XDR Shigella infections.
- Shigella spreads easily through contaminated food, water, and surfaces.
Key insights
- The rise in drug-resistant Shigella infections may lead to increased healthcare costs and treatment challenges.
- Communities with higher rates of HIV may be more vulnerable to Shigella infections.
- Preventive measures are crucial to control the spread of Shigella, especially in high-risk groups.
Why it matters
The spread of drug-resistant Shigella could pose significant public health challenges, especially among vulnerable populations.
Source
Times Now
