An alarm was raised in five countries of the European Union after the emergence of a serious stomach disease that is resistant to many drugs, including antibiotics. The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control said today it was investigating a serious number of cases of the dangerous and highly contagious shigella sonnei infection, sometimes called dysentery.
ECDC said the virus was detected in Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Denmark and the Netherlands. Authorities said the virus may have originated from the Darklands festival in Belgium, and strains resistant to many commonly used antimicrobial agents were detected.
In new information published this week, the ECDC said this month Belgium reported an increase in extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Shigella sonnei infections, with a total of 31 cases since January 2024. 27 of these cases are male, and one of them attended the Darklands festival in Antwerp, Belgium, between 27 February and 4 March 2024.
Since the festival cases have been reported in Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands. Additionally, Denmark reported one case with travel history to Belgium before 11 March. The main symptoms of the disease are fever, severe diarrhea and stomach pain.
There are 2 main types of dysentery:
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Bacillary dysentery or shigellosis caused by Shigella bacteria; this is the most common form of dysentery in the UK
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Amoebic dysentery or amoebiasis caused by an amoeba (single-celled parasite) called Entamoeba histolytica, found mainly in tropical regions; this type of dysentery is usually acquired from abroad
The ECDC said it believed the Darklands gbMSM (Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men) festival had led to a further spread of the disease, adding: “Listing out the consequences of the case involving the Darklands festival in Belgium, an event of cross-country transmission starting at the end of 2022.” This is the same XDR Shigella strain previously reported among gbMSM in several EU-EEA countries.
“One of the two cases identified in Ireland, reported to have attended the Darklands festival in Belgium in the days before the onset of symptoms, has a different sequence profile. However, it shows multidrug resistance to commonly used antimicrobial agents. It has been linked to the Darklands festival in Antwerp, Belgium, or before it started.” Seven cases of Shigella infection traveling to Belgium have been reported. The event indicates potential or transmission ‘hotspots’ at mass gathering events attended by gbMSM.
“Since Shigella is transmitted through the fecal-oral route and can also be spread through sexual contact, individuals who engage in sexual intercourse with multiple anonymous or casual sex partners while participating in such activities may face an increased risk of infection. Given the low infectious dose, transmission from infected individuals to sexual partners may be at increased risk.” and are likely to spread further upon return to family contacts in their home country.
“The incubation period for Shigella infection varies from 12 hours to four days; but it is usually between one and seven days. He added that there is a worryingly evolving cluster of XDR shigellosis spreading across many countries in the EU/EEA and showing extensive drug resistance.
He added: “Given the interconnected nature of gbMSM sexual networks in Europe, it is very likely that further cases of this type will emerge, particularly among gbMSM, not only in the countries reporting cases, but also in other Member States. Other cases that have not yet been detected are already occurring in other Member States.” It is also possible that it exists.”
How can you prevent getting dysentery?
Hand washing is the most important way to stop the spread of infection. When you are sick and have symptoms, you are contagious to others.
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To prevent spreading the disease to others, follow these steps:
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Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after going to the toilet. Read more about how to wash your hands
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Stay away from work or school until you are completely free of any symptoms for at least 48 hours.
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Help young children wash their hands properly.
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Do not prepare food for others until you have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours.
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Do not go swimming until you have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours.
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If possible, stay away from other people until your symptoms are gone.
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Wash all your dirty laundry, linens and towels on the hottest cycle of your washing machine.
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After use, clean toilet seats and toilet bowls, flush handles, faucets and sinks with detergent and hot water, followed by household disinfectant.
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Avoid sexual contact until you are symptom-free for at least 48 hours.