Objective To understand the epidemic characteristics of bacillary dysentery outbreaks in China from 2008 to 2011, explore the risk factors and potential intervention measures, and to provide refference for the prevention and control of bacillary dysentery. Methods The epidemic reports of bacillary dysentery outbreaks in China from 2008 to 2011 were collected from national public health emergency reporting information system and screened according to the outbreak criteria to conduct descriptive epidemiological analysis．Results From 2008 to 2011, a total of 82 bacillary dysentery outbreaks were reported in China with 3805 cases and the attack rate was 4.05%. The geographic distribution of the outbreaks concentrated in the southwest and coastal provinces, i.e. Hunan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Chongqing and Zhejiang. The main pathogens were Shigella sonnei (D group) and Shigella flexneri (B group), accounting for 57.14% and 38.78% respectively. The most occurrence settings were school and rural area, accounting for 68.29% and 25.61% respectively. The main risk factors associated with foodborne outbreaks in school were infected food handlers and improper food processing. The main risk factors associated with school waterborne outbreaks were contaminated drinking water, reserved water and water containers in canteen. Dinning together and using unsterilized water were the risk factors for foodborne and waterborne outbreak in countryside. Conclusion In order to prevent and control bacillary dysentery outbreak in school and rural area, it is necessary to strengthen the health management and education of food handlers in school canteens, enhance water disinfection and surveillance, promote health education on drinking water hygiene among students and villagers, and improve the settings of water intake.