Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of rabies in China in 2021 and provide evidence for the development and improvement of rabies prevention and control strategies.

Methods The incidence data and national surveillance data of rabies in 2021 were collected from “China Disease Prevention and Control Information System” for a descriptive epidemiological analysis on the incidence rate of rabies, time distribution and age distribution of rabies cases.

Results In 2021, a total of 157 rabies cases, including 150 deaths, were reported in 22 provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions) in China, a decrease of 22.28% compared with 202 cases in 2020. Rabies mainly occurred in central and southern China, the cases in Hunan (50 cases), Henan (22 cases), Jiangsu (14 cases), and Anhui (12 cases) provinces accounted for 62.42% of the total reported cases nationwide. The incidences of rabies were high in April, June and October, but low in November. The cases were mainly farmers (84.00%). The male to female ratio of the cases was 2.74∶1, higher than that in 2020 (1.93∶1). The cases were distributed in all age groups, but mainly in middle-aged and elderly people (77.71%). The analysis on 77 cases indicated that the animals biting people were mainly dogs (91.67%), but in these dogs, domestic dogs almost accounted for 70%, and active attack was the main way for the dogs in biting people. The median incubation period of the cases was 65 days (35.75, 221.75). The laboratory diagnosis rate of rabies was 22.93%.

Conclusion The incidence of rabies continued to decline in China in 2021, has shown a downward trend since 2007. The disease situation in Hunan, Henan and other provinces was relatively serious, and the laboratory diagnosis rate of rabies cases needs to be further improved.