Disease burden. Shigellosis is endemic throughout the world. Worldwide there are approximately 164.7 million cases, of which 163.2 million in developing countries and 1.5 million in industrialized countries. Each year 1.1 million people are estimated to die from Shigella infection and 580 000 cases of shigellosis are reported among travellers from industrialized countries. A total of 69% of all episodes and 61% of all deaths attributable to shigellosis involve children less than 5 years of age. Continue
