Objective  To understand the spatiotemporal distribution of influenza in Gansu province and evaluate the effects of influenza prevention and control measures.

  Methods  The incidence data of influenza in 87 counties of Gansu from 2016 to 2020 were collected for spatial scanning analysis, and the temporal risk characteristic index (frequency index, duration index and intensity index) of influenza was analyzed by spatial autocorrelation method.

  Results  A total of 46 043 cases of influenza were reported in Gansu from 2016 to 2020, with an average annual incidence rate of 35.09/100 000. The areas with high incidence of influenza in Gansu from 2016 to 2020 might be in Dingxi and Tianshui. The frequency index, duration index and intensity index of influenza were 0.58, 5.73 and 10.49 respectively. The global autocorrelation showed that the frequency index and intensity index had positive spatial autocorrelation, and local autocorrelation showed that the hot spots of frequency index and intensity index were mainly in Dingxi.

  Conclusion  The incidence of influenza in Gansu showed spatiotemporal clustering. Dingxi was a high-risk area of influenza, and the prevention and control measures in different risk areas had different effects.