A growing number of drug-resistant Shigella infections, considered a highly contagious sexually transmitted diarrhea disease, have health officials are sounding the alarm about as Ohio reports nearly 400 cases of the illness this year alone.
The CDC considers shigellosis a public health threat. The disease causes an estimated 450,000 infections in the U.S. each year, according to USA TODAY. It can be spread through fecal‑oral transmission, sexual contact, and contaminated food or water.
While most people recover within a week, health officials are increasingly concerned about drug-resistant strains that are becoming harder to treat. Here are Ohio's latest numbers.
How widespread is shigellosis in Ohio?
Ohio has reported 383 cases of shigellosis in 2026 as of Oct. 26, according to the
Ohio Department of Health. That's up from 360 cases reported through Oct. 8 and are approaching the 395 cases reported in all of 2025.
Franklin County has reported the most cases with 122, followed by Cuyahoga County (45), Summit County (28) and Hamilton County (23).
The state reported 26 new cases in October, compared with 10 reported by Oct. 8.
Among Ohio cases reported this year:
- Median age: 39
- Male: 258 cases (67.4%)
- Female: 125 cases (32.6%)
- Hospitalizations: 118 (30.8%)
What is shigellosis, the sexually transmitted diarrhea disease?
Shigella bacteria cause shigellosis, an illness that can trigger diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, per the CDC.
According to the Ohio Department of Health, the illness can also cause nausea and a persistent urge to have a bowel movement. Some people have no symptoms.
Can anyone get shigellosis? Adults and children both become sick
Historically in the U.S., shigellosis primarily affected children, but the data from 2016 to 2023 showed cases were predominantly found in non-Hispanic White men, USA TODAY reports.
Ohio's data shows a similar pattern. About 67% of reported cases this year have occurred among males, and White individuals account for roughly 56% of infections reported statewide.
Anyone can get shigellosis, but young children are especially vulnerable, according to the CDC. Outbreaks often occur in child care settings and schools.
The agency adds that travelers, people experiencing homelessness, and gay and bisexual men are also at increased risk.
Most people recover from shigellosis within five to seven days without antibiotics. The CDC recommends drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
How to lower your risk of infection of diarrhea-causing shigellosis
The CDC suggests several steps to avoid getting or spreading shigella, including:
- Wash your hands properly.
- Avoid swallowing water while swimming.
- Follow safe food and water habits when traveling.
- If you or your partner is diagnosed with shigellosis, do not have sex for at least two weeks after symptoms end.
Why drug-resistant Shigella concerns health officials
An April CDC report found that drug-resistant Shigella is on the rise. Extensively drug-resistant strains made up 8.5% of samples in 2023, up from 0% in 2011.
In 2023, the CDC issued a health advisory warning about the XDR (extensively drug-resistant) strain, saying it's a growing threat because it resists commonly-used oral antibiotics.
"Strengthened surveillance, timely reporting and targeted prevention strategies are needed to limit transmission of XDR Shigella strains," the report noted.
"It's hard to put the genie back in the bottle," Dr. Aaron Glatt, an epidemiologist and chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau in New York, told USA TODAY at the time. "We are going to be seeing strains here that are resistant to the commonly used treatments."
While most people recover within a week, health officials say the growing number of drug-resistant infections is a reminder to wash your hands, stay home when sick and seek medical care if symptoms become severe.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Is Ohio a hotspot for sexually transmitted diarrhea disease? See numbers
