Objective To analyze the surveillance results and epidemiological characteristics of viral infectious diarrhea in Longhua district of Shenzhen, Guangdong province, from 2017 to 2021, and provide evidence for the development of viral infectious diarrhea prevention and control measures.

Methods The viral infectious diarrhea cases in all age groups in Longhua from 2017 to 2021 were selected as surveillance subjects. Statistical analysis on the differences in the annual virus positive rate and factors affecting the interval between onset and medical care seeking of the cases with different characteristics was condcuted.

Results From 2017 to 2021, the overall virus positive rate in the diarrhea cases was 25.10% (120/478) .The highest positive rate was found in 2017. The differences in change trend of the annual virus positive rate were not significant (linear trend χ²=16.094, P=0.446). The annual positive samples of viruses (rotavirus, norovirus, astrovirus and enterovirus) in the viral infectious diarrhea cases were mainly detected duting June-July and during October-November, showing a double peak pattern. Year, age and vomiting or not were the independent factors influencing the interval between the onset and medical care seeking of the cases. The male to female ratio of the cases was 1.43∶1. There was significant difference in the virus positive rate between the cases with vomiting and the cases without vomiting (χ²=10.928, P=0.001).

Conclusion There were significant differences in the annual virus positive rate in viral infectious diarrhea cases in Longhua district of Shenzhen from 2017 to 2021, showing obvious time distributions. It is necessary to strengthen the population based surveillance in seasons with high incidences and improve the prevention and control of viral infectious diarrhea.