How common is amebiasis?
Although anyone can have this disease, it is most common in people who live in developing countries that have poor sanitary conditions. In the U.S., amebiasis is most often found in immigrants from developing countries. It also is found in people who have traveled to developing countries. In parts of Africa, Latin America, India, and Southeast Asia, amebiasis is endemic (generally or constantly found in persons living in a particular place). In the U.S., up to 4% of the population probably carries the parasite.
