Shigellosis - Annual Epidemiological Report for 2022

In 2022, 30 EU/EEA countries reported 4 149 confirmed cases of shigellosis. Of those cases with information available on travel history, 48% were associated with travel. The overall notification rate was 1.5 cases per 100 000 population. This represents an increase in the notification rate compared to 2020 and 2021, but is consistent with the notification rates reported before the COVID-19 pandemic (2019 and preceding years).

The highest notification rate was observed in children under five years of age, followed by male adults aged 25–44 years. Sexual transmission of shigellosis among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) is thought to have contributed to the gender imbalance in the latter group.

In 2022, two multi-country shigellosis outbreaks were reported to EpiPulse. Both involved S. sonnei ST152 and had links to international travel.

The rise in resistance to first- and second line antimicrobials in Shigella isolates observed in recent years is of concern.