Spectrum of notifiable infectious diseases and its change pattern in Qinghai, 1961−2020

  Objective   To analyze the incidence of notifiable infectious diseases in Qinghai province from 1961 to 2020, understand the spectrum of the infectious diseases and its change pattern, and provide evidence for the development of infectious disease prevention and control strategies.

  Methods  The incidence data of notifiable infectious diseases in Qinghai from 1961 to 2020 were collected through the Qinghai Province Epidemic Information Compilation and the Infectious Disease Information Report Management System for a descriptive epidemiological analysis.

  Results  From 1961 to 2020, a total of 3 951 350 cases of 35 types of notifiable infectious diseases were reported in Qinghai with an average annual incidence rate of 1530.66/100 000. The incidence of the infectious diseases was highest during 1971−1980 (5011.44/100 000) and lowest during 1991−2000 (357.64/100 000). Compared with 1961−1970, the incidences of respiratory infectious diseases, intestinal infectious diseases, insect-borne diseases/natural foci-borne diseases decreased significantly by 93.33%, 95.92% and 89.93% respectively, during 2011−2020. And the incidence of blood borne and sexually transmitted diseases increased significantly during 2011−2020 compared with 1981−1990. The disease spectrum has changed from acute infectious diseases (mainly influenza and measles) to chronic infectious diseases (hepatitis B, tuberculosis) and emerging infectious diseases (influenza A pdm09 and COVID-19).

  Conclusion  The overall incidence of notifiable infectious diseases in Qinghai Province showed a downward trend in the past 60 years. The spectrum of the infectious diseases gradually shifted from acute infectious diseases (influenza, measles) to chronic infectious diseases (hepatitis B, tuberculosis) and emerging infectious diseases. It is necessary to take targeted measures for the prevention and control of the infectious diseases in different period. At present, the main focus of the disease prevention and control should be on blood-borne and sexually transmitted diseases, and tuberculosis. At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen the prevention and control of emerging and imported infectious diseases. The surveillance for insect-borne infectious disease needs to be continued.