Amebiasis

Amebiasis is an infection of the intestines, and sometimes other organs, caused by the parasitic amoeba Entamoeba histolytica. It is most common in tropical and subtropical regions with poor sanitation, where it can cause diarrheal disease.

0
Countries Affected
No data
Recent Cases (30d)
0
Active Outbreaks
N/A
Last Updated
📱 iOS App Temporarily Unavailable

We're working with Apple to restore our app to the App Store.

Get notified when it's back:
Email [email protected] (subject: REMINDER) or check back in a few days.

Track in App
Temporarily Unavailable
Track in App View Active Outbreaks

What is Amebiasis?

Amebiasis was first clearly described by Dr. Fedor Lösch in Russia in 1875, who identified the causative amoeba in dysenteric stools. It was later differentiated from bacterial dysentery, establishing *Entamoeba histolytica* as a distinct human pathogen. This discovery significantly advanced understanding of infectious diarrhea.

Symptoms

  • Often asymptomatic: Most infected individuals show no symptoms.
  • Mild Intestinal: Loose stools, abdominal pain, stomach cramps.
  • Severe Intestinal (Amebic Dysentery): Frequent, bloody stools (dysentery), severe abdominal pain, fever.
  • Extraintestinal (less common): Liver abscess (fever, right upper quadrant pain), and rarely infections in the lungs or brain.

Transmission

Amebiasis spreads primarily through the fecal-oral route. This occurs when a person ingests cysts of *Entamoeba histolytica* from contaminated food or water. Contamination can happen via infected food handlers, use of human feces as fertilizer, contaminated irrigation water, or direct person-to-person contact in unsanitary conditions.

Contagious Period: Varies by disease

Prevention

  • Practice good hand hygiene, especially after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food.
  • Drink safe water (bottled, boiled, or chemically treated) in areas with poor sanitation.
  • Avoid raw, unpeeled fruits and vegetables, and uncooked foods in high-risk areas.
  • Ensure proper sanitation and safe disposal of human feces.
  • No vaccine is currently available for Amebiasis.

Active Outbreaks & Recent Cases

Real-time intelligence from global health monitoring and AI-powered surveillance

Data sources: BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies

No Active Outbreaks Detected

Our AI-powered surveillance hasn't detected significant Amebiasis activity in the past 30 days.

Real-time monitoring continues 24/7 across BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ global health agencies

What This Means

Currently, Amebiasis case counts are within baseline expectations globally. However, diseases can emerge rapidly, which is why continuous monitoring is critical.

Stay Prepared

Download the Virus Watcher app to get instant alerts if Amebiasis activity increases in your region or travel destinations.

Prevention Remains Important

Even without active outbreaks, understanding Amebiasis prevention helps protect you and your community:

  • Practice good hand hygiene, especially after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food.
  • Drink safe water (bottled, boiled, or chemically treated) in areas with poor sanitation.
  • Avoid raw, unpeeled fruits and vegetables, and uncooked foods in high-risk areas.
  • Ensure proper sanitation and safe disposal of human feces.
  • No vaccine is currently available for Amebiasis.
View Live Alerts

Track Amebiasis and 200+ other diseases with personalized alerts

Expert Resources & References

Trusted information from leading health organizations

CDC

Official guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

View CDC Resources →

WHO

Global disease surveillance and guidelines from the World Health Organization

View WHO Resources →

Research

Latest peer-reviewed research and clinical studies

View Research →

Medically Reviewed Content

Disease information on Virus Watcher is reviewed by our Chief Epidemiologist, a former CDC lead analyst for FluSight forecasting. Outbreak data is aggregated from verified sources including BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-03

Stay Ahead of Amebiasis Outbreaks

Get real-time alerts and intelligence on Amebiasis and 200+ other diseases. Used by healthcare systems, EMS, schools, and travelers worldwide.

📱 iOS App Temporarily Unavailable

We're working with Apple to restore our app to the App Store.

Get notified when it's back:
Email [email protected] (subject: REMINDER) or check back in a few days.

Download App
Temporarily Unavailable
Download App Enterprise Solutions