Epidemiological analysis of the prevalence of infectious diseases in Taiyuan,1997-2006

Objective The study provides evidence base for the development of preventive strategies and management plans for infectious disease by analyzing the epidemiological pattern of Type A and B infectious diseases in Taiyuan from 1997 to 2006. Methods Reported data of incidence of infectious diseases Taiyuan from 1997 to 2006 were analyzed using descriptive epidemiological approaches. Results A total of 101 236 cases of to Type A and B infectious diseases were reported in Taiyuan from 1997 to 2006 with an average annual incidence of 319.85/lakh. An overall downward trend of annual incidences was observed in the duration from 1997 to 2003, whereas the incidence strikingly increased since 2004 when the direct-reporting network system was employed. The predominant type of infectious diseases altered from intestinal infectious diseases to blood-derived and sexually transmitted diseases; hepatitis B became a substitute for the previously dominating dysentery, new infectious diseases emerging. Conclusion The prevention and control of infectious diseases in Taiyuan now faces such challenges as altering epidemiological patterns, new emerging infectious diseases, and floating population. Timely adjustment of control strategies and implement of effective programs to anticipate the occurrence of epidemic is thereby compulsory.