Dysentery spreads when an infected person doesn't wash their hands after using the toilet, touches buttons or doorknobs in common areas, or handles food and drinks, and another person then touches those areas or consumes those foods. Infected individuals touching food with unwashed hands are a common cause of dysentery transmission.

Dysentery, a bowel infection, is highly contagious. It is usually transmitted orally through:

* Contaminated hands that are not properly cleaned
* Consumption of contaminated water
* Consumption of improperly cleaned food
* Swimming in polluted lakes or pools
* Person-to-person contact

Some chemicals can also cause non-infectious dysentery.