SA Health are asking South Australian gay and bisexual men who have sex with men to be on alert following reports of a strain of multi-drug resistant Shigella.
Shigella is a highly contagious bacteria that causes a bowel infection. Contracting it can result in vomiting, stomach cramps, bloody and severe diarrhoea, fever and nausea.
Symptoms typically appear between 12 hours and four days after exposure, and can last anywhere from four to seven days.
In most cases, the infection clears on its own with rest and rehydration. However, antibiotics may be required if symptoms become severe.
Complicating treatment, a multidrug-resistant strain of the bacteria means that commonly recommended oral antibiotics are not effective in some cases. When this occurs, intravenous antibiotics administered in hospital are usually required.
“Shigella is highly contagious, and even a small number of bacteria can cause infection. ” SA Health told QNews.
“It causes gastrointestinal infection, which can lead to severe complications, particularly in children, the elderly and people with weaker immune systems.
“It can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person, contaminated food, water or surfaces, or sexually.
“People are infectious whilst shigella is in the faeces, which is usually up to 4 weeks from illness onset.
“Some strains of Shigella develop resistance to antibiotic treatment, increasing the risk of poor outcomes.”
Six cases of multidrug-resistant Shigella reported in SA this year
From 2023-2025, an average of 196 cases of shigella infection have been reported in South Australia each year.
A small number of these cases each year are multidrug resistant.
“Five cases of the same multi-drug-resistant strain were reported among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) throughout 2025.” SA Health said.
“Since the beginning of 2026, six cases of the same strain of multidrug-resistant Shigella have been reported in South Australia among GBMSM.”
“As compared to this time last year, the total number of cases of Shigella infection reported is similar.”
“However, the number of cases with multidrug-resistant strains reported in 2026 is higher.
“CDCB continues to monitor the occurrence of drug-resistant cases of shigella infection and uses these data to inform the community and implement necessary public health action.”
The Communicable Disease Control Branch in SA Health works in partnership with SAMESH to provide targeted health promotion to raise awareness among South Australians.
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How is Shigella spread?
Shigella spreads when hands, objects, or food are contaminated with the faeces of someone who is infected.
The bacteria enter the body through the mouth and can also be transmitted during certain types of sexual activity.
Only a small number of bacteria is needed to cause infection, and the main source of infection is other people.
General recommendations for the treatment of gastroenteritis include drinking plenty of fluids and not taking medicine to prevent vomiting or diarrhoea except when advised by a doctor.
Shigella infection can be prevented by keeping areas clean, washing your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet, changing nappies, before cooking and always before eating.
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