Objective  To analyze the incidence pattern and epidemiological characteristics of bacterial dysentery in Anhui province from 2017 to 2023, and provide evidence for the development of surveillance and prevention strategies for bacterial dysentery in Anhui.

Methods Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted on the incidence data of bacterial dysentery in Anhui from 2017 to 2023. The isolated strains were tested and analyzed to understand the predominant strains and drug resistance.

Results A total of 26 080 cases of bacillary dysentery were reported in Anhui from 2017 to 2023, and the annual case count and incidence rate showed downward trends year by year. The annual incidence peak of bacterial dysentery was during June - August. Hefei, Wuhu, Fuyang, Bozhou and Suzhou ranked top 5 in terms of reported cases and incidence rate. The reported case count and incidence rate were higher in northern Anhui than in southern Anhui. The cases in children under 5 years old accounted for the highest proportion (20.01%). The cases were mainly farmers (53.50%), followed by children living scatteredly (19.77%). There was statistically significant difference in the positive rate in surveillance between Huaibei and Ma'anshan (χ²=38.031, P＜0.001). The predominant bacterial group of the pathogen was Fusarium 2a, and the pathogen strains were highly resistant to ampicillin, tetracyclines and naphthenic acid. The strains were moderately resistant to ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, cefazolin, sulbactam and cefotaxime, but not resistant to gentamicin, azithromycin, ceftazidime, cefoxitin and imipenem.

Conclusion In recent years, the reported incidence rate and case count of bacillary dysentery decreased from 10.26/100 000 to 2.54/100 000 and from 6 355 cases to 1 557 cases in Anhui, and the reported incidence rate and case count were higher in northern Anhui than in southern Anhui. Farmers and children living scatteredly were the key populations affected, so it is necessary to strengthen health education to improve their awareness of disease prevention. The drug resistance of strains is still serious, and the rational use of antibiotics in clinical treatment should be improved to reduce the incidence rate of bacillary dysentery and the burden of disease.