To explore the application of space-time permutation scan statistics in bacillary dysentery surveillance, and understand the space-time pattern and the trend of disease. MethodsBased on descriptive analysis, the national bacillary dysentery incidence data of 2910counties during 2008-2009was analyzedby space-time scan statistics using SatScan software. The results were visualized using ArcGIS 10.0software. ResultsThe accumulation time of 2008was from May to October and accumulation space was divided into 7clusters, which included 1113,0, 8,6, 6,0and 6counties respectively. The accumulation time of 2009was August, and the accumulation space was divided into 2clusters which included 1111and 485counties respectively. ConclusionThe space-time scan statistics was more effective for space-time pattern analysis of food borne disease than the classical statistics. Combined with geographic information system, it could be more intuitive, comprehensive to display the hot spot, and provide reference for similar research.