Progress in research on epidemiology and influencing factors of bacillary dysentery in China

Bacterial dysentery (BD) is an acute intestinal infectious disease caused by Shigella spp., with approximately 165 million cases reported worldwide each year, making it a leading cause of human diarrhea. The transmission and prevalence of BD are influenced by a combination of factors, including pathogens, hosts, hydrometeorological conditions, natural geography, and socioeconomic factors. Due to differences in economic development, geographic features, cultural environments, and levels of health care among different regions in China, the distribution of BD exhibits significant spatial and temporal heterogeneity. In recent years, China has witnessed new trends in BD, including the polarization of risk areas and the aging of high-risk populations. Disease prevention efforts continue to focus on interrupting transmission routes and protecting susceptible populations. This article reviews the epidemiologic characteristics and influencing factors of BD in China, with the aim of providing guidance for the formulation of BD prevention and control policies and strategies.