Surveillance of leptospirosis in Quzhou, Zhejiang, 2001-2012

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of leptospirosis in Quzhou, Zhejiang province, from 2001 to 2012, and provide scientific evidence for the prevention and treatment of leptospirosis. Methods Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted on the incidence data of leptospirosis in Quzhou during this period. The serum antibody detections of the diagnosed patients and host animals were conducted with microscopic agglutination test. The kidneys of mice, frogs, ducks and pigs as well as the mid stream urine of cattle were collected for the pathogen isolation. The kidneys of mice and frogs were collected to detect leptospira with PCR. Results The average annual incidence of leptospirosis in Quzhou was 0.27/lakh from 2001 to 2012. The disease mainly occurred in summer and autumn. Most cases were middle-aged farmers, and more cases occurred in males than in females. The serological detection indicted that the major pathogen in the patients was L. icterohemorrhagie. The positive rate of pathogen detection in host animals was 0.56%, the major pathogens were L. icteroheamorrhagiae and L. autumnalias. The serum positive rate was 17.79% in host animals, the major pathogens were L. icteroheamorrhagiae (50.00%) and L. autumnalias (28.30%). Conclusion Close attention still should be paid to the prevention and treatment of leptospirosis in Quzhou, especially after flood disaster. It is necessary to strengthen the surveillance of leptospirosis both in human and in host animals.