Analysis on rabies epidemiology in Yunnan province, 2005−2017

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of rabies in Yunnan province from 2005 to 2017 and provide the scientific evidence for the prevention and control of rabies.

Methods The incidence data of rabies in Yunnan during this period were collected and analyzed with Excel 2013 and SPSS 17.0 to generate relevant statistical charts.

Results A total of 930 rabies cases were reported in Yunnan from 2005 to 2017, 47 cases were loss to follow up, 883 cases died. Averagely, 68 cases of rabies death were reported in a year. The average annual incidence rate of rabies in Yunnan was higher than average national level (χ²＝21.390, P＜ 0.001). The incidence of rabies showed a rapid upward trend from 2005 to 2008, two incidence peaks occurred in 2008 and 2010 respectively. Since 2011, the incidence of rabies had shown a downward trend year by year. The top five counties (district) with high incidence were Guangnan, Luoping, Mile, Yanshan and Jinghong, the cases reported in these areas accounted for 20.64% of provincial total. The youngest age of rabies case was 1 year old, the oldest age was 91 years old. The cases number was highest in age group 41 – 50 years and lowest in age group 81 – 91 years. The male to female ratio of the cases was 1∶0.39, the case number in males was 2.55 times higher than that in females, and the average age of male cases was younger than that of female cases. ( z＝−9.411,P＜ 0.001); The cases in farmers, students and children outside child care settings accounted for 93.33% of the total. The annual incidence peak was usually during June – August.

Conclusion From 2005 to 2017, rabies cases were reported every year in Yunnan. The average annual incidence rate was high. Therefore, the prevention and treatment of rabies is still the focus of public health in Yunnan. It is necessary to strengthen the epidemiological surveillance for rabies.