Spatial clustering and changing of hepatitis E in Fujian province, 2010-2015

Objective To explore the spatial clustering, specific clustering areas and changing of clustering areas of hepatitis E in Fujian province, and provide evidence for hepatitis E prevention and control. Methods The surveillance data of hepatitis E during 2010-2015 in Fujian province were obtained from the national disease reporting information system and analyzed with SAS 9.2. The spatial autocorrelation analysis of hepatitis E incidence at county/district levels was performed with ArcGIS 10.2. Results The reported incidence of hepatitis E in Fujian ranged from 2.34/100 000 to 3.36/100 000 during 2010-2015, with the annual average of 2.85/100 000. The global Moran's I values were 0.357, 0.410, 0.329, 0.498, 0.216, 0.124 respectively (P0.05). The local spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated that there were 8, 8, 6, 11, 8 and 9 hot areas with high incidence of hepatitis E during this period respectively. Most hot areas were the counties or districts of Sanming (90.00%, 45/50). Most of the counties or districts of Sanming had become the hot areas with high incidence of hepatitis E during this period (83.33%, 10/12). The epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis E had obvious differences between hot areas and non-hot areas, such as the incidence level, seasonality, rural and urban distributions and population with high incidence. Conclusion The spatial clustering of hepatitis E was observed in Fujian with a certain degree of concentration, continuity and diffusion trend. The hepatitis E control and prevention measures should be strengthened in Sanming and the influencing factors of the spatial clustering should be further investigated.