CDC Warns of Highly Resistant Shigella Bacteria, Poses Public Health Threat

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently put out an alert to healthcare professionals and the general public about an upward trend in cases of Shigella. These highly contagious bacteria cause shigellosis, an inflammatory type of diarrhea.

A report from NPR tells us that the new strains of the bug are resistant to all five commonly used antimicrobial treatments. The CDC claims this resistance had never been seen before 2016, and its prevalence has increased.

Emerging Public Health Threat

The same report informed us that the CDC held a call to advise doctors about this emerging public health threat on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

The CDC says that national surveillance systems are finding more and more cases of Shigella that are resistant to various medications.

In 2022, 5% of Shigella infections reported to the CDC were caused by these extensively drug-resistant strains, a big hump from 0% in 2015. Shigella infections that are resistant to more than one type of antibiotic are especially concerning as they are difficult to treat.

Also, these strains can spread genes for resistance to other enteric bacteria, a major threat to public health. The CDC asks doctors and nurses to watch for Shigella infection cases and report them to their local or state health department.

How Shigella Spreads

The CDC states that the bacteria are spread via the fecal-oral route, person-to-person and sexual contact, and contaminated food and water.

Shigellosis has historically particularly affected young children in the United States, but in recent years, an uptick in antimicrobial-resistant Shigella infections has been noted in adults.

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, homeless people, international travelers, and those with HIV are among the high-risk groups. The CDC says vigilance and preventative measures are required to stop the spread of this dangerous bacteria.

How to Treat Shigella Infection

Infection with Shigella results in bloody or prolonged diarrhea, severe abdominal cramping, and tenderness. The CDC suggests the following anti-infection treatments as the most effective:

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you or a family member exhibit these symptoms, particularly a fever or a severe feeling of illness.

Dehydration is possible, so consume a lot of fluids. Anti-diarrheal drugs such as Imodium and Lomotil can exacerbate symptoms.

Antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin and Azithromycin can reduce the duration of fever and diarrhea by two days.

Even if you feel better, complete the prescribed course of antibiotics. Inform your healthcare provider if your immune system is compromised.

According to the CDC, infections can be prevented by frequently washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, including after using the restroom, before and after changing diapers, cleaning up after a sick person, and preparing or eating food.

The Threat of Microbial Resistance

The World Health Organization has identified antibiotic resistance as one of the biggest threats to global public health, making developing new antibiotics a top priority.

Why is this a significant issue? When first-line antibiotics fail to treat an infection, more costly drugs must be administered. This results in much more illness and extended hospital stays, increasing healthcare costs and placing additional financial strain on families.