OBJECTIVETo analyze the spatial-temporal distribution of Hepatitis E (HEV) in Hunan province from 2006 to 2014.

METHODSData related to HEV cases in Hunan province from 2006 to 2014 were collected from the Infectious Diseases Reporting Information System in the formation System of Disease Prevention and Control of China. Based on ArcGIS (10.2) and SaTScan(version 9.1), spatial autocorrelation analysis and space-time clustering analysis were used to study the prevalence on HEV.

RESULTSA total of 7 124 HEV cases were reported with 3 deaths during this period. The average annual incidence rate was 1.22/10(5). Most of the cases were over 55 years old and the majority of them (54.15%) were farmers. The distribution of HEV showed differences on locations and the regions with high incidence seen in northern and western areas of Hunan. However the regions with low incidence appeared in central or southern parts of Hunan. Data from the global spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that there was space autocorrelation on the HEV incidence rates in counties (cities, districts) (Moran'I was positive,P<0.05). A total of 31 countries were found in the high-high region with most of the clusters located in northern and western Hunan. According to local indication of spatial autocorrelation analysis, 31 countries in high-high region all showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05). RESULTS from the space-time scan showed 7 space-time clustering areas, including those most likely in the western Hunan area (2012-2014); the secondary clusters in northern Hunan areas (2011-2014).

CONCLUSIONSSignificant cluster pattern was found in the distribution of HEV in Hunan province. Clusters found in northern and western of Hunan province were seen more than in other regions.