- Cases of the highly contagious and often drug-resistant bacterial disease, Shigella, are increasing across the U.S., prompting updated warnings from doctors.
- Shigella causes symptoms like bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting, with 450,000 cases and 38 deaths annually in the U.S., and 242,000 cases are drug-resistant.
- A new federal report indicates that white men are now the most susceptible to infections from drug-resistant Shigella, a shift from previous findings that disproportionately affected children under five.
- Treatment options for drug-resistant Shigella are limited to a few drugs, and an "excessively drug resistant" strain with no government-approved oral antibiotic has seen higher transmission.
- The bacteria spreads through person-to-person contact, contaminated food or drink, and anal sexual contact, with prevention emphasizing handwashing and avoiding contact with infected individuals.
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