drug resistant bacteria called public health risk

Key Points:

• The CDC has issued a warning about a drug-resistant strain of shigella, known as XDR shigella, which is resistant to all commonly recommended antibiotics and poses a growing public health threat in the U.S.
• Drug-resistant shigella infections have increased by 8.5% from 2011 to 2023, with the first resistant strain identified in 2016; shigella causes an estimated 450,000 infections annually in the U.S., costing about $93 million in medical expenses.
• Shigella spreads primarily through the fecal-oral route, contaminated food or water, and sexual activity, with the new strain being notably associated with sexual transmission, requiring abstinence from sex for several weeks if infected.
• Most shigellosis cases resolve within 5 to 7 days without antibiotics, but the drug-resistant strain requires hospitalization for intravenous antibiotic treatment due to the lack of effective oral options.
• Preventative measures include thorough handwashing, careful diaper changing, avoiding swallowing water while swimming, practicing safe food and water habits when traveling, and refraining from sexual activity if infected or exposed.