Prevalence and distribution of echinococcosis in Tacheng, Xinjiang, 2005−2020

  Objective  To understand the prevalence and distribution of echinococcosis in Tacheng, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, from 2005 to 2020, and provide evidence for the local prevention and treatment of echinococcosis.

  Methods  The data of echinococcosis cases reported in Tacheng from 2005 to 2020 were collected from national infectious disease reporting information management system. Excel 2007 and SPSS 17.0 were used to analyze the distribution of echinococcosis cases by area, age, gender and population.

  Results  A total of 2 356 cases of echinococcosis were reported in Tacheng from 2005 to 2020. The average annual incidence was 14.39/100 000, and the highest incidence was 29.27/100 000 in 2017. There was a statistical difference in the quarter distribution of the cases (χ²=172.75, P<0.05), the number of reported cases in the first and fourth quarters was significantly higher than that in the second and third quarters; The gender ratio was about 1.09∶1, and there was no significant difference in gender distribution of the cases ( χ²=11.88, P>0.05). The age of the cases ranged from 2 to 90 years with an average age of 38 years. The cases in farmers and herdsmen (1416 cases) accounted for the highest proportion (60.10%). The cases were reported in Tacheng, Emin, Yumin, Toli, Wusu, Shawan, and Buxel. The annual average incidence in Toli was highest (45.80/100 000), where 436 cases were reported cumulatively, accounting for 18.51% of the total, the differences in incidence among different areas were significant (χ²=311.98, P<0.05). Among the reported cases, 2 163 (91.81%) were reported by hospitals.

  Conclusion  The overall incidence of echinococcosis in Tacheng showed an increase trend from 2005 to 2020 although decline occurred after 2017. The echinococcosis cases were mainly distributed in young adults and adults engaged in agriculture and aquaculture in pastoral areas and semi-agricultural and semi-pastoral areas. In e prevention and control of echinococcosis, it is necessary to strengthen the health education about echinococcosis in key populations and adhere to the mode of integration of prevention and treatment for the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of echinococcosis.