Epidemiological characteristics of infectious diarrhea other than cholera, dysentery, typhoid and paratyphoid in Beijing, 2004-2012

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of infectious diarrhea other than cholera, dysentery, typhoid and paratyphoid (hereinafter referred to as other infectious diarrhea) in Beijing from 2004 to 2012 and provide reference for the prevention and control of other infectious diarrhea. Methods Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted on the incidence data of other infectious diarrhea in Beijing reported through national disease reporting information system from 2004 to 2012. Results A total of 461-918 cases of other infectious diarrhea were reported during this period with annual incidence declined, the annual incidence ranged from 228.59/lakh to 409.78/lakh. The age groups 0, 20 and 25 years were affected mostly. Most reported cases were children outside child care settings, accounting for 22.41%. The first 3 districts reporting high case numbers were Fengtai, Haidian and Chaoyang, their cases accounted for 16.01%, 12.48% and 10.25% of the total respectively. The annual incidence peak of other infectious diarrhea occurred during July-August. Only 16.66% of the cases were laboratory confirmed and the annual proportion of these cases declined with year. Conclusion Other infectious diarrhea mainly occurred in children outside child care settings during summer/autumn. It is essential to strengthen the prevention and control of other infectious diarrhea both in children and adults.