Epidemiology of scrub typhus in China,2006-2016

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of scrub typhus in China and provide evidence for the prevention and control of the disease. Methods The data of scrub typhus cases reported in China through national disease reporting information system from 2006 to 2016 were analyzed to understand the temporal, spatial and population distributions of the disease. Results Most scrub typhus cases were diagnosed according to the symptoms and laboratory confirmed cases only accounted for 4.50%. The counties where scrub typhus occurred increased by approximately 3.15 times and the case number also increased by 15.41 times from 2006 to 2016. The percentages of cases in males and females were 46.73% and 53.27% respectively. The incidence peak was during June-October in southern China and during OctoberNovember in northern China. The cases in farmers accounted for 73.58% and the case proportions in children aged 0-6 years and middle aged to old adults were high. Conclusions The uptrend of scrub typhus incidence was obvious in China in recent years. The epidemic season was different between the southern and northern area of China. It is necessary to strengthen the prevention and control of scrub typhus in rural area and improve the diagnostic technique and the research on vectors of scrub typhus.