Spatial and temporal distribution of human brucellosis in Inner Mongolia, 2009–2018

ObjectiveTo understand the epidemiologic characteristics and spatial distribution of human brucellosis (hereinafter referred to as brucellosis) in Inner Mongolia from 2009 to 2018, and provide evidence for the development of the strategies and measures for brucellosis prevention and control and the adjustment of prevention and control resources.

MethodsThe incidence data of brucellosis in Inner Mongolia during 2009–2018 were obtained from the National Notifiable Disease Reporting System (NNDRS). Descriptive epidemiology method was used to analyze the epidemiologic characteristics of brucellosis, and software ArcGIS was used to analyze the spatial and temporal characteristics of brucellosis. The spatial and temporal distribution map of brucellosis in Inner Mongolia was generated to analyze the global and local spatial correlation.

ResultsFrom 2009 to 2018, a total of 119 249 new cases of brucellosis were reported in Inner Mongolia, and brucellosis occurred in all 103 counties of 12 cities (league). The cases were mainly young adults, males and farmers or herdsmen. From the perspective of spatial distribution: the global spatial autocorrelation analysis showed clustering distribution from 2009 to 2013 and from 2016 to 2018, and there were hot spots in local spatial autocorrelation analysis. The high incidence areas of brucellosis in Inner Mongolia were mainly in the central and eastern areas in the past decade. The areas with high incidence of brucellosis moved from the middle-east to the west and from the north to the south.

ConclusionIt is necessary to further strengthen the prevention and control of brucellosis in Inner Mongolia, focusing on health education and behavior intervention in high-risk groups and targeted measures in areas with serious disease burden.