Analysis of epidemic characteristics of human rabies in China in 2007-2023
10.3760/cma.j.cn112866-20240403-00055
- VernacularTitle:2007—2023年中国狂犬病流行病学特征分析
- Author:
Yao QIN
1
;
Qian ZHANG
;
Shengjie LAI
;
Qiulan CHEN
;
Qian REN
;
Wenwu YIN
;
Di MU
;
Yanping ZHANG
Author Information
1. 中国疾病预防控制中心传染病管理处 传染病监测预警中国疾病预防控制中心重点实验室 传染病溯源预警与智能决策全国重点实验室，北京 102206
- Keywords:
Rabies;
Epidemiology;
Elimination
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology
2024;38(4):373-377
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of rabies in China from 2007 to 2023, and to provide reference evidence for tailoring strategies to facilitate the elimination of rabies in the country.Methods:Case data from 2007 to 2023 were obtained from China′s National Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting Information System, and the spatial, temporal, and demographic features of cases were analyzed.Results:From 2007 to 2023, a total of 18 751 human rabies cases were reported in China, with an average annual incidence rate of 0.08 per 100 000. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) in incidence rate was -18.58% (95% CI: -21.32% to -15.75%, P<0.05), with three significant turning points in 2011, 2018, and 2021. Based on the trend of the epidemic, Chinese provinces can be roughly divided into five categories. The geographical range affected by rabies has decreased from 23 provinces and 984 counties (districts) in 2007 to 17 provinces and 101 counties (districts) in 2023. Since 2019, the high-incidence counties (districts) have been mainly concentrated in the southwestern part of Hunan, the southern part of Henan, and the western part of Anhui. Fourteen provinces have reported no cases for at least two consecutive years. Males (70.24%) and farmers (72.18%) were the main affected groups, and the proportion of cases aged 65 and above increased from 17.43% in 2007 to 36.07% in 2023. Conclusions:The incidence of rabies in China has changed from endemic in many areas to sporadic, with the remaining endemic regions mainly located in parts of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The main vulnerable groups are middle-aged and elderly farmers. The current prevention and control measures can effectively curb the transmission of rabies, but the decline of cases has slowed down recently.
