Epidemiology of human brucellosis in Hangzhou,2004-2014

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis in Hangzhou from 2004 to 2014, and provide evidence for the prevention and control of the disease. Methods The incidence data of human brucellosis in Hangzhou during this period were collected for descriptive epidemiological analysis. Results A total of 83 cases of human brucellosis were diagnosed, the annual incidence was 0.114/lakh, the incidence was highest in 2014 (0.231/lakh). The cases were mainly the people engaged in livestock slaughtering, trafficking and trading, accounting for 57.83% (48/83). Twenty four cases were the people without occupational exposure, accounting for 28.92%, and the proportion of cases without occupational exposure increased year by year. The number of reported cases in Yuhang district, where slaughtering was prosperous, was highest, accounting for 61.45% (51/83); 64 cases occurred between January 1 and May 31 of a year (77.11%). Up to 97.59% (81/83) of the cases had histories of contact with sheep from the north of China, and only 2.41% (2/83) of the cases were infected through the contact with local cattle, and no cases due to local cattle contact had occurred since 2006. Conclusion It is essential to control the imported infection source, strengthen health education and behavior intervention in people with occupational exposure and increase the awareness of brucellosis prevention related knowledge in the public to improve the prevention and treatment of human brucellosis in the future.