Objective  To understand the epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis in Fujian province during 2018−2024, and provide evidence for the development of effective human brucellosis prevention and control strategy.

Methods  The incidence data and serological and etiological surveillance results of human brucellosis in Fujian from 2018 to 2024 were collected from China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention for a descriptive epidemiological and software SaTScan 10.2.5 analysis.

Results A total of 1201 human brucellosis cases were reported in Fujian during this period. The annual incidence was 0.42/100 000 and the incidence of human brucellosis increased year by year (trend χ2＝90.369, P＜0.001). The cases were distributed sporadically in 87 counties (95.60%) in the province. The incidence was 0.98/100 000 in Nanping and 0.92/100 000 in Longyan, higher than other areas. The number of affected counties (district) increased from 37 in 2018 to 63 in 2023, showing a significant increase (trend χ²＝13.979, P＜0.001). The analysis on spatiotemporal clustering showed that a total of 5 high-risk clustering areas were detected in Fujian from 2018 to 2024, in which the most obvious clustering during April 22,2021- October 2,2024 occured in 2 counties, i.e. Guangze and Shaowu (relative risk=4.22, log likelihood ratio=33.92, P<0.001).The annual incidence peak of human brucellosis occurred during March-August. In the reported cases, 906 (75.44%) were aged 40–＜70 years; the highest incidence rate was in age group 60–＜65 years (1.12/ 100 000). The male to female ratio of the cases was 1.96:1 (χ²＝122.994, P＜0.001). The cases in farmers and herdsmen accounted for 47.29%. In the surveillance in key populations with occupational exposure, 96 serological positive cases were found (1.13%, 96/8 462). By classical biotyping and molecular biological typing, 2 species (B. melitensis and B. suis) and 2 biovars (B. melitensis biovar 3, n＝69; and B. suis biovar 3, n=1) were identified in the 70 Brucella isolates, and B.melitensis was the major pathogen causing human brucellosis in Fujian (98.57%).

Conclusion Our study indicated that the incidence intensity of human brucellosis in Fujian increased with year. The risks for infected animal importation and food-borne infection existed, so it is suggested to strengthen surveillances, and take corresponding measures in population at high risk for the better prevention and control of human brucellosis.