Objective:To analyze the prevalence and pathogenic characteristics of human brucellosis in Heze City, and provide scientific basis for formulating corresponding prevention and control strategies.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted, the data of brucellosis cases in Heze City from 2009 to 2023 were collected from the China Disease Control and Prevention Information System. The pathogen monitoring data of acute phase patients at various brucellosis monitoring sites in Heze City from 2018 to 2023 were collected from the strain review report of the Shandong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Descriptive epidemiological analysis of the three distribution patterns (time, region, population distribution) and pathogen monitoring results of human brucellosis in Heze City were conducted.Results:From 2009 to 2023, a total of 3 232 cases of brucellosis were reported in Heze City, with no deaths. The annual incidence rate ranged from 0.93/100 000 to 5.23/100 000, and the annual average incidence rate was 2.53/100 000, with the highest incidence in 2018. The difference of incidence rate of brucellosis in different years was statistically significant (χ 2 = 767.85, P < 0.001), showing an overall upward trend (χ 2trend = 15.33, P < 0.001). The 3 232 cases of brucellosis were reported from January to December, with the peak incidence mainly concentrated from March to August, accounting for 65.75% (2 125/3 232) of the total reported cases. The regional distribution was mainly concentrated in Yuncheng County, Mudan District, and Cao County, accounting for 62.78% (2 029/3 232) of the total reported cases. The incidence rate of brucellosis in Mudan District, Cao County, Shan County, Chengwu County, Juye County, Yuncheng County, Dingtao District, Dongming County, and the Economic and Technological Development Zone all showed an upward trend year by year ( P < 0.05). The population affected by brucellosis was mainly male, with a male to female ratio of 2.46∶1.00 (2 299∶933). The age of onset was mainly concentrated at 25 - < 65 years old, accounting for 79.98% (2 585/3 232). The occupational distribution was mainly dominated by farmers, accounting for 81.96% (2 649/3 232). The results of pathogen monitoring showed that a total of 66 Brucella strains were detected in the blood culture samples of 197 acute phase patients, all of which were Brucella melitensis. The main type was biovar 3, accounting for 84.85% (56/66). Conclusions:The overall human brucellosis epidemic in Heze City is on the rise, with a slight decline after 2019 but still higher than early levels. The epidemic shows obvious seasonality, with relatively concentrated regional distribution, and the affected population is mainly male farmers. The dominant type is Brucella melitensis biovar 3. We should strengthen livestock quarantine and monitoring and prevention of high-risk populations to control the development of brucellosis outbreaks.

Objective:To analyze the prevalence and pathogenic characteristics of human brucellosis in Heze City, and provide scientific basis for formulating corresponding prevention and control strategies.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted, the data of brucellosis cases in Heze City from 2009 to 2023 were collected from the China Disease Control and Prevention Information System. The pathogen monitoring data of acute phase patients at various brucellosis monitoring sites in Heze City from 2018 to 2023 were collected from the strain review report of the Shandong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Descriptive epidemiological analysis of the three distribution patterns (time, region, population distribution) and pathogen monitoring results of human brucellosis in Heze City were conducted.Results:From 2009 to 2023, a total of 3 232 cases of brucellosis were reported in Heze City, with no deaths. The annual incidence rate ranged from 0.93/100 000 to 5.23/100 000, and the annual average incidence rate was 2.53/100 000, with the highest incidence in 2018. The difference of incidence rate of brucellosis in different years was statistically significant (χ 2 = 767.85, P < 0.001), showing an overall upward trend (χ 2trend = 15.33, P < 0.001). The 3 232 cases of brucellosis were reported from January to December, with the peak incidence mainly concentrated from March to August, accounting for 65.75% (2 125/3 232) of the total reported cases. The regional distribution was mainly concentrated in Yuncheng County, Mudan District, and Cao County, accounting for 62.78% (2 029/3 232) of the total reported cases. The incidence rate of brucellosis in Mudan District, Cao County, Shan County, Chengwu County, Juye County, Yuncheng County, Dingtao District, Dongming County, and the Economic and Technological Development Zone all showed an upward trend year by year ( P < 0.05). The population affected by brucellosis was mainly male, with a male to female ratio of 2.46∶1.00 (2 299∶933). The age of onset was mainly concentrated at 25 - < 65 years old, accounting for 79.98% (2 585/3 232). The occupational distribution was mainly dominated by farmers, accounting for 81.96% (2 649/3 232). The results of pathogen monitoring showed that a total of 66 Brucella strains were detected in the blood culture samples of 197 acute phase patients, all of which were Brucella melitensis. The main type was biovar 3, accounting for 84.85% (56/66). Conclusions:The overall human brucellosis epidemic in Heze City is on the rise, with a slight decline after 2019 but still higher than early levels. The epidemic shows obvious seasonality, with relatively concentrated regional distribution, and the affected population is mainly male farmers. The dominant type is Brucella melitensis biovar 3. We should strengthen livestock quarantine and monitoring and prevention of high-risk populations to control the development of brucellosis outbreaks.

Objective:To investigate the epidemic distribution and characteristics of brucellosis in Heze City, and to provide a basis for formulating prevention and control measures in the future.Methods:The data of Heze City brucellosis reported from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2021, were collected from the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The epidemiological case questionnaires of brucellosis in Heze City from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2021 were collected from the centers for disease control and prevention of various cities, counties and districts. Retrospective analysis was used to conduct a descriptive analysis of the distributions, clinical manifestations and epidemiological history 3 weeks prior to the onset of the disease in Heze City from 2017 to 2021.Results:From 2017 to 2021, a total of 1 543 cases of brucellosis were reported in Heze City, with no death. The highest incidence was in 2018 (5.16/100 000). The peak period was from March to June each year (759 cases). There were cases reported in all counties (districts) of the city, and the counties (districts) with more cases were Mudan District (386 cases), Cao County (271 cases), Yuncheng County (251 cases), Shan County (138 cases) and Juye County (132 cases). The minimum age of onset was 11 months, and the maximum was 84 years old, mainly between the ages of 20 to 69 (1 381 cases). The gender ratio between males and females was 2.50 ∶ 1.00 (1 102 ∶ 441). Farmers had the highest incidence of the disease (1 329 cases). Main clinical manifestations were fever, hyperhidrosis, fatigue, muscle and joint soreness. Epidemiological history investigation within 3 weeks before the onset of the disease revealed 1 124 cases of close contact with animals, including 1 044 cases of contact with sheep.Conclusions:From 2017 to 2021, the incidence of brucellosis in Heze City shows a trend of first rising and then decreasing, and the epidemic affects all counties (districts) of the city, mainly middle-aged and elderly men. In the future, it is necessary to strictly control the flow of diseased animals, increase immunization and quarantine, and block the transmission route.