Epidemiological feature of typhoid/paratyphoid fevers in Lin’an, Zhejiang province, 2002-2008

ObjectiveTo explore the pattern of typhoid/paratyphoid fevers epidemic in Linan. MethodsDescriptive epidemiology study was conducted to analyze the epidemic data of typhoid/ paratyphoid fevers from 2002 to 2008 in Linan. ResultsA total of 1085 cases of typhoid/ paratyphoid fevers were reported accumulatively during this period, no death case was reported, the average annual incidence rate was 29.41/lakh, which showed a significant increase trend. More cases occurred in men than in women with the sex ratio of 1.38∶1. The people aged 15-44 years were mostly affected and a large number of cases occurred in farmers and farmer workers. Three outbreaks occurred during this period with the cases accounting for 58.53% of the total cases. ConclusionThe geographic distribution of cases showed a centralized trend. Most cases occurred during April-August. The predominating strain was IBacillus Paratyphosus/I A in Linan during this period. Water contamination was key risk factor for the high incidence of paratyphoid fever.