Epidemic characteristics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Shijiazhuang, 1984-2008

ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemic characteristics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome(HFRS) in Shijiazhuang from 1984 to 2008. MethodsDescriptive analysis was conducted on the surveillance data of HFRS in Shijiazhuang during this period. ResultsTwo epidemic peaks of HFRS were found in Shijiazhuang, one was in 1986 and another one was in 1999. In 2003, the incidence rate of HFRS declined sharply from 13.28/lakh in 2002 to 5.71/lakh, then it declined to 0.32/lakh in 2008 gradually. The epidemic mainly occurred in spring, in residential area and in floating population. The surveillance indicated that from 2003 to 2008 both the rat density and the infection rate of rat decreased gradually. But the infection rate of rat increased abruptly in 2008. Mus. Norvegicus and the Mus musculus were the predominant species with the infection rate of 5.50% and 5.21% respectively. Higher infection rate of rat was found in spring and inside house. ConclusionAlthough the epidemic of HFRS in Shijiazhuang had been mitigated, the surveillance, the epidemic reporting and the comprehensive prevention/control measures should be strengthened to prevent the comeback of HFRS epidemic.