Antibiotic-resistant shigella infections are increasing in Victoria, with health authorities urging GPs to request stool cultures for suspected cases. 

A health alert issued by the state’s outgoing Chief Health Officer, Professor Brett Sutton, also stressed the need to reserve antibiotic treatment for severe infections and immunocompromised individuals. 

Of the 366 shigellosis cases recorded in Victoria so far this year, most occurred in men who have sex with men (MSM) and returned overseas travellers.

But it was unclear what proportion of the infections had been found to be antibiotic resistant.