Incidence of Shigella intestinal infections, active component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2007-2016.

ABSTRACT

During 2007-2016, there were 428 incident cases of Shigella infection among active component service members, with an overall crude incidence rate of 3.4 cases per 100,000 person-years (p-yrs). Compared to their respective counterparts, overall incidence rates were highest among females, non-Hispanic black service members, those aged 35-39 years, members of the Army, and those in military healthcare occupations. With the exception of 2015, the annual incidence rates of shigellosis from 2007 through 2016 were relatively stable. The annual incidence rate in 2015 was twice that of the rate in 2014 (6.4 cases per 100,000 p-yrs and 3.1 cases per 100,000 p-yrs, respectively). This peak was followed by a decrease to 3.4 cases per 100,000 p-yrs in 2016. There was no marked pattern of seasonality of Shigella infections during the 10-year surveillance period. During 2008-2016, a total of 23 cases of Shigella infection were diagnosed in deployment settings. Risk factors for Shigella infection and standard measures for the prevention of shigellosis are reviewed.