Epidemic of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in rodents in Linghai of Jinzhou, Liaoning,2005-2012

Objective To understand the epidemic pattern of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in rodents in Linghai of Jinzhou, Liaoning province, and provide evidence for the prevention and control of HFRS. Methods Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted on the HFRS epidemic in rodents in Linghai from 2005 to 2012. Results The average rat density in residential area was 4.11%, the predominant species was Rattus norvegicus. The average rat density in open field was 3.00%, the predominant species changed from Cricetulus barabensis to Apodemus agrarius. The difference in rat density between residential area and open field had statistical significance. There was an obvious increase trend of rat density in open field. The virus carrying rate in rats in residential area was 5.24% with the average virus carrying index of 0.0464. The virus carrying rate in rats in open field was 3.42% with average virus carrying index of 0.0320. There was no obvious difference in the virus carrying rate between the rats in residential area and rats in open field. There was an obvious decline trend of virus carrying rate in rats in open field. There was no correlation between incidence rate and rat density/virus carrying index. There was no correlation between inapparent infection rate and rat density/virus carrying index. Conclusion The HFRS epidemic in rodents in Linghai was stable. There was no correlation between rat density/virus carrying index and incidence rate/inapparent infection rate.