Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of scarlet fever in Tianjin, and provide evidence for the effective prevention and control of scarlet fever.

Methods Descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of scarlet fever in Tianjin from 2013 to 2023.

Results From 2013 to 2023, a total of 15 832 cases of scarlet fever were reported in Tianjin. The reported incidence rate ranged from 0.59/100 000 to 20.43/100 000, with an annual average of 10.68/100 000. The incidence showed an obvious seasonality, with two incidence peaks during November - January and during April - June. The male to female ratio of the cases was 1.67:1, and the median age of the cases was 6 years. The incidence was high in age group 3−10 years, in which 14 836 cases were reported, accounting for 94.66% of the total. The cases were mainly students, children in child care settings, and children living scatteredly, accounting for 96.67% (15 780 cases) of the total. The top three districts with the high annual average incidence rates were Heping (21.47/100 000), Nankai (20.18/100 000) and Hexi (16.96/100 000).

Conclusion The reported incidence rate of scarlet fever showed an overall upward trend from 2013 to 2019 and showed low level fluctuation from 2020 to 2023 in Tianjin. Children aged 3−10 years were the group at high risk. It is necessary to strengthen the surveillance and management in key places, such as child care settings and schools, as well as in key populations and in high-incidence seasons. Meanwhile, it is important to improve etiological research and the coordination of medical treatment and prevention for the better prevention and control of scarlet fever.