Noora Mykkanen | Senior Live News reporter Published July 9, 2026 12:12pm Updated July 9, 2026 12:12pm Shigella bacteria infection is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics (Picture: Getty Images/Science Photo Library) A gut bug that can also spread during sex and cause violent diarrhoea has been labelled a ‘public health threat’ in the UK. Health officials and experts have warned of the risk posed by Shigella bacteria, a sexually transmitted diarrhoea disease. The alarm was raised after it was found to be spreading rapidly among some gay and bisexual men. The disease is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, the study by UKHSA and the University of Cambridge warned. Shigella bacteria causing dysentery is usually found in faeces and contracted through contaminated food. Bu