Diarrhoeal disease is aggravated by poor hygiene. Photo credit: WHODiarrhoeal disease is the second leading cause of death in children under five years old and is responsible for killing 1.5 million children every year. Diarrhoea is the passage of three or more loose or liquid stools per day, or more frequently than is normal for the individual. Infection is spread through contaminated food or drinking-water, or from person-to-person as a result of poor hygiene. Diarrhoeal disease is treatable with a solution of clean water, sugar and salt, and with zinc tablets.

Diarrhoea can last several days and can leave the body without the water and salts that are necessary for survival. Most people who die from diarrhoea actually die from severe dehydration and fluid loss. Children who are malnourished or have impaired immunity are most at risk of life-threatening diarrhoea.

The wide diversity of bacterial and viral infections that may cause diarrhoea complicates accurate surveillance and diagnosis, especially in developing countries with little or no access to modern laboratory procedures. The specific disease burden attributable to a particular infectious agent is particularly complex, given the multiplicity of these agents, their serotypes, and its accurate documentation depends largely on laboratory facilities.