Epidemic characteristics of visceral leishmaniasis in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 2013−2023

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of visceral leishmaniasis in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region(Xinjiang) from 2013 to 2023, and provide evidence for the development of effective prevention and control strategies and measures.

Methods  The incidence data of visceral leishmaniasis in Xinjiang from 2004 to 2023 (excluding the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps) were collected from the China Disease Prevention and Control Information Management System. Suspect, reported visceral leishmaniasis cases, and the cutaneous leishmaniasis cases were excluded. The cases reported in a county (district) from 2004 to 2012 were used to define disease endemic county (district), potential disease endemic county (district), and non-disease endemic county (district). According to the epidemiological classification of visceral leishmaniasis in China, the reported visceral leishmaniasis cases from 2013 to 2023 were divided into two groups: cases from disease endemic area (anthroponotic, desert, and gravel desert types) and cases from non-disease endemic area based on their current residence. Epidemiological analysis of the distribution of reported cases was conducted using Excel 2021 and Qgis 3.28 software.

Results From 2013 to 2023, visceral leishmaniasis affected 12 anthroponotic, 11 desert, 2 gravel desert endemic counties (districts), and 8 non-endemic counties (districts) in Xinjiang. One anthroponotic, 3 desert, and 4 gravel desert potential endemic counties (cities) were identified. A total of 846 cases of visceral leishmaniasis were reported in Xinjiang, with an average annual incidence rate of 0.34/100 000. The cases were reported in all age groups from 0 to 68 years, with cases in young children and infants under 2 years old accounting for 87.12% of the total. The average annual incidence rate was 0.41/100 000 in men and 0.33/100 000 in women, the male-to-female ratio of the cases was 1.28∶1. The number of cases reported in desert disease endemic area accounted for 85.34% of the regional total, and the cases reported in Jiashi area accounted for 74.94% of the regional total.

Conclusion Visceral leishmaniasis in Xinjiang mainly affects young children and infants under 2 years old, with a higher incidence in men (boys) than in women (girls). The epidemic is more severe in desert disease endemic area compared with other type dsiease endemic area and non-disease endemic area.