Objective  To analyze the incidence and prevalence characteristics of acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) among community residents in Beijing.

  Methods  We selected 10 800 residents in 120 communities of 6 administrative districts in Beijing city using multistage random cluster sampling and then conducted a household interview among the residents on AGI-related symptoms, medication seeking and possible causes during previous 28 days between April 2014 and March 2015.

  Results  Among the 9 885 participants completing the survey, totally 110 were identified as self-reported AGI cases, with the adjusted monthly incidence rate of 1.01% (95% confidence interval 95% CI: 0.81% – 1.21%) and the estimated yearly incidence density of 0.15 (95% CI: 0.13 – 0.16) person-year based on gender and age distribution of Beijing population in 6th national census in 2010. The monthly AGI incidence rate differed significantly by age, living region and season. Of all the AGI cases identified, 31.82% reported seeking medical service and 52.73% reported suspected intake of contaminated food related to the illness. Of the cases seeking medication, 20.00% had feces examination. Among the 58 AGI cases reporting the AGI-related food intake, 44.83% had the food at home and 34.48% had the intake of probably contaminated fruit or vegetable.

  Conclusion  The community AGI patients in Beijing had a lower ratio of seeking medical service and higher ratio of having contaminated food intake. AGI related surveillance and health education on food safety should be promoted among community residents to reduce AGI incidence.