[The development of acute gastroenteritis in the German Democratic Republic]

Next to acute respiratory diseases accounting for about 80% of all cases of notifiable infectious diseases acute gastrointestinal diseases with 12% are the group second in importance. Since many years the number of reported cases with diarrhoea is increasing. The aetiology of merely a small part of these cases (less than 5%) is being determined. Next to the Salmonellae at present Campylobacter species are detected most frequently. The percentage of viral gastroenteritis is under-estimated considerably on account of insufficient diagnostics. Most important for improving the situation is the improvement of hygienic conditions in kindergartens, crèches and nursing homes; in food processing plants and kitchens as well as the reduction of human pathogens-particularly Salmonellae and Campylobacter-spreading in livestock.