Dysentery, also known as red fever, is  an acute infectious bacterial disease characterised by bloody and mucous diarrhoea and fever. In the summer of 1940, an outbreak of this disease was reported throughout Łódź, and in the ghetto it took the form of an epidemic, which was one of the official reasons for introducing a postal blockade (vide). In July, 25,381 people fell ill and 1,366 died. The daily mortality rate reached 55 people, with dysentery being the most common cause of death. Thanks to the introduction of strict sanitary regulations, it was possible to eliminate the sources of infection, although it was still the most common infectious disease. In October 1940, of 285 cases of infectious diseases, 222 were dysentery.

In the following years, the incidence was low. The highest number of cases per month – 333 – was recorded in September 1941; in July 1942, there were 130 cases. Dysentery was more common in the summer, when more fruits and vegetables were delivered to the ghetto. A higher incidence was also observed in December 1941, when 92 people contracted the disease, mainly among those deported from the Reich and the Protectorate (vide). These people were unable to adapt to the tough ghetto conditions.