Analysis of epidemiological characteristics of four natural-focal diseases in Shandong Province, China in 2009-2017: A descriptive analysis

Abstract

Background Natural-focal diseases are serious diseases that endanger human health. They threaten about 100 million people in Shandong Province, and cause illness in thousands of people each year. However, information on the epidemiological characteristics of natural-focal diseases in Shandong Province has been limited. The purpose of the study was to describe and analyze the epidemiological characteristics of natural-focal diseases in Shandong Province, 2009–2017. Methods We describe the incidence and distribution of four natural-focal diseases in Shandong Province using surveillance data from 2009–2017. Results From 2009–2017, 11123 cases of four natural-focal diseases including 257 deaths were reported in Shandong Province, China. The four natural-focal diseases were severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA), typhus, and scrub typhus. The high-risk groups of the four diseases were farmers and the elderly. The incidence rate of scrub typhus was significantly higher in females. However, this difference was not seen in the other three diseases. The four diseases were mainly clustered in the middle-southern part of Shandong Province and the Shandong Peninsula. The annual incidence of SFTS and scrub typhus increased, typhus was relatively stable, and HGA declined. However, the range of SFTS expanded, while HGA shrunk, and typhus and scrub typhus were unchanged. The epidemic period of SFTS and HGA was from May to October, typhus was from October to November, and scrub typhus was from September to November. The fatality rates of SFTS, typhus, scrub typhus, and HGA were 9.19%, 0%, 0.01%, and 2.24%, respectively. Conclusions Our study described and analyzed the prevalence of natural-focal diseases in Shandong Province, and confirmed that age was closely related to the SFTS fatality rate. This study may help to improve the understanding of the prevalence of natural-focal diseases in Shandong Province in recent years and to better develop accurate prevention and control strategies for natural-focal diseases.

Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Scrub Typhus in Jiangxi Province, China, from 2006 to 2018

“…This study showed that the timing and characteristic of ST outbreaks were remarkably consistent each year, with the high incidence seasons being in summer (June-August) and autumn (September-October), especially in autumn, which is similar to that observed in the southern provinces as Zhejiang [6] and Guangdong [33], but different from that of the northern provinces as Shandong [34] and Jiangsu [35]. A possible explanation was that this diverse seasonal distribution of ST could be attributed to the heterogeneous geographic distribution of the dominant mite in this area.…”

Epidemiological Characteristics and Spatiotemporal Patterns of Scrub Typhus in Jiangxi Province, China, 2006-2018

“…Therefore, local growers should strengthen personal protective measures, including wearing longsleeved shirts and long pants, tightening the neckline and cuffs, and taking a bath in time after work. Consistent with several studies 6,31,32 , our ndings showed that women were more susceptible to ST infections than men, farmers who lived in rural areas accounted for the vast majority, and most cases of ST occurred in the middle-aged and elderly (individuals aged at least 40 years old). A potential explanation was that Jiangxi is known as a "great labor-exporter" 41 , most young and middle-aged males in rural areas were working in other provinces and cities 42 .…”

The neglected challenge: Vaccination against rickettsiae

“…typhi rather than R . prowazekii , is a serious threat to public health in China, mainly northern China [ 36 ], where farmers and the elderly are at enhanced risk [ 37 ]. Both O .…”

“…R. typhi generally occurs worldwide and is also endemic in Asia. Typhus, most likely the infection with R. typhi rather than R. prowazekii, is a serious threat to public health in China, mainly northern China [36], where farmers and the elderly are at enhanced risk [37]. Both O. tsutsugamushi and R. typhi have just recently been recognized to be major causative agents of severe meningitis and meningoencephalitis with high lethality rates [38].…”