Rabies epidemic surveillance analysis，China，2024
10.3760/cma.j.cn112866-20250815-00179
- VernacularTitle:2024年中国狂犬病疫情监测分析
- Author:
Xiaonuo XU
1
;
Na ZHANG
1
;
Pengcheng YU
1
;
Shuqing LIU
1
;
Qian LIU
1
;
Minghui ZHANG
1
;
Xiaoyan TAO
1
;
Wuyang ZHU
1
Author Information
1. 中国疾病预防控制中心病毒病预防控制所，国家卫健委医学病毒和病毒病重点实验室，北京 102206
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Rabies;
Epidemiological characteristics;
Surveillance;
Elimination
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology
2025;39(5):598-603
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of rabies in China during 2024 to understand the patterns of disease transmission and provide a scientific basis for optimizing prevention strategies and advancing the rabies elimination process.Methods:Data on the national rabies epidemic in 2024 and case-specific information from national surveillance sites were collected from China's National Notifiable Disease Reporting System（NNDRS）. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the disease trends and epidemic characteristics.Results:In 2024，China reported 167 human rabies cases across 20 provincial-level administrative divisions（PLADs），resulting in 148 fatalities. This represents a 39.17% increase from 2023（120 cases）and the highest annual incidence recorded since 2019. The epidemic exhibited a distinct geographic clustering in central and southern China，with four provinces（Henan，Guangxi，Hunan，and Hubei）accounting for 62.87%（105/167）of nationally reported cases. October（20 cases）and November（20 cases）recorded the highest monthly incidence，while February had the lowest（2 cases）. Farmers constituted the primary affected demographic（80.84%），with a marked male predominance（male-to-female ratio：2.15∶1）-higher than the 2023 ratio（1.86∶1）. Cases spanned all age groups，predominantly affecting middle-aged and older adults. Analysis of 54 cases revealed dogs as the primary exposure source（93.88%），with domestic dogs constituting 75.00% of these.The laboratory diagnosis rate of rabies cases in 2024 was 43.71%（73/167）.Conclusion:After 16 consecutive years of decline，China's rabies epidemic rebounded in 2024，primarily driven by deficiencies in domestic dog management and weaknesses in post-exposure prophylaxis. Key recommendations include enhancing canine vaccination coverage in high-risk areas，implementing targeted health education for farmers and middle-aged and older adults，improving standardized post-exposure treatment protocols，and optimizing integrated surveillance-alert-response systems，ultimately advancing the achievement of rabies elimination goals.
