Abstract: Objective The present study was conducted to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of bacillary dysentery in Zhaotong for further prevention and control.Methods Descriptive epidemiological analysis was adapted to study the bacillary dysentery cases reported in Zhaotong from 1953 to 2005.Results 545 336 cases of bacillary dysentery and 3223 deaths were reported in Zhaotong from 1953 to 2005.The average annual incidence was 343.33/lakh,ranging from 26.35/lakh to 1545.57/lakh.The mortality rate fluctuated between 0.04/lakh and 19.48/lakh.Conclusion Bacillary dysentery occurs at any time of a year.Shigella flexneri is predominant in the city.