The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is mourning the loss of three apes – a lowland gorilla and two bonobos – to shigellosis, a highly contagious bacterial infection. While the source remains unknown, the zoo is taking steps to treat other apes exhibiting symptoms and ensure the safety of both animals and visitors.
At 39, I experienced the worst illness of my life: shigellosis, a gastrointestinal disease spread through adults as an STI. After a night of clubbing and intimacy, I woke up with stomach cramps and eventually severe bloody diarrhoea every two hours. After a doctor’s visit and stool sample, I was diagnosed with shigella, a bacteria found in contaminated food, water, or surfaces, or transmitted during sex. Despite antibiotics being ineffective, the Health Protection Team advised informing contacts, as shigella is found in infected feces and can be spread through contaminated water. Gay men should be aware of shigella, as they are at higher risk due to its potential transmission during sex.
