Epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis in Hubei, 2010-2016

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis in Hubei province from 2010 to 2016 and provide scientific evidence for human brucellosis prevention and control. Methods The incidence data and outbreak information of human brucellosis in Hubei during this period were collected from Communicable Disease Reporting Information System and Public Health Emergency Reporting Information System respectively for a descriptive analysis. Results A total of 947 cases of human brucellosis were reported in Hubei during 2010-2016,with an average incidence of 0.23/100 000 and an increasing trend year by year(trend 2=838.312,P=0.001). The male to female ratio of the cases was 2.47:1,and the median age of cases was 50 years. Most cases were farmers(71.28%). The incidence peak was from April to July(49.52%). The counties where human brucellosis occurred accounted for 74.76%(77/103),the affected counties increased from 2 in 2010 to 53 in 2016(trend 2=138.278,P=0.001). The incidence was highest in Suizhou(1.95/100 000),followed by Jingmen (0.54/100 000)and Xiangyang(0.38/100 000). The median of the interval between onset and diagnosis was 13 days,and the proportion of the cases reported by hospitals at provincial level decreased with year(trend 2=66.027,P0.05)and that reported by county hospitals increased with year(trend 2=31.427,P=0.001). Two outbreaks of human brucellosis were reported during 2010-2016,sick sheep were suspected infection sources. Conclusion The incidence of human brucellosis increased year by year with the affected areas expanding from the north to the south in Hubei during 2010-2016. The diagnosis capability of human brucellosis had been improved gradually at medical facilities at grass roots. It is suggested to conduct joint prevention and control of human brucellosis to stop the increase of human brucellosis incidence in Hubei.