Epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal clustering of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Jingzhou, Hubei, 2017−2020

  Objective  To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal clustering of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Jingzhou from 2017 to 2020, and provide evidence for the prevention and control of HFRS.

  Methods  Descriptive epidemiological method was used to describe the three distributions of HFRS cases in Jingzhou. Kernel density estimation (KDE) was used to analyze the spatial clustering of HFRS. Spatiotemporal scanning statistics were used to analyze the temporal and spatial clustering of HFRS.

  Results  A total of 875 cases of HFRS, including 15 deaths, were reported in Jingzhou from 2017 to 2020, with an incidence rate of 3.89 per 100 000 and the case fatality rate of 1.71%. The incidence rate was highest in 2020 (5.67/100 000), and lowest in 2017 (2.18/100 000). HFRS cases were reported in 8 counties (districts) of Jingzhou. The areas with the high incidence rates were Jiangling (9.98/100 000), Gong'an (5.96/100 000), and Jianli (5.60/100 000). The annual incidence of HFRS had two peaks, one was during April-July and another one was during November-January. The incidence rate in men was higher than that in women (RR=2.71, 95% CI: 2.33–3.14). The incidence rate was highest in age group 60−64 years (10.90/100 000), followed by age groups 65−69 years (8.96/100 000) and 55−59 years (8.07/100 000). The cases aged over 60 years accounted for 36.06% of the total cases. The cases were mainly farmers (666 cases, 76.11%). KDE showed that high and above intensity clusters were distributed in parts of Jiangling, Jianli, and Gong'an. There was a spatiotemporal clustering area, covering 42 townships in Shashi, Gong'an, Shishou and Jianli, from April 1 to July 19, 2020. The center of clustering area was Puji township of Jiangling, and the radius of the area was 41.89 km

  Conclusion  The incidence of HFRS in Jingzhou was at a relatively high level. The high-risk areas were dominated by Jiangling, Jianli and Gong'an. The high incidence had shifted from young age group to old age group, and the HFRS vaccination failed to cover the population in this area.