Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of varicella in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (Diqing), Yunnan Province, from 2014 to 2023 and provide theoretical evidence for the prevention and control of varicella.

Methods Descriptive epidemiological methods, spatial autocorrelation and spatiotemporal clustering analysis were used to explore the epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal distribution of varicella in Diqing.

Results The average annual reported incidence of varicella was 105.54/100 000 in Diqing from 2014 to 2023, showing a fluctuating downward trend (χ²= 78.167, P<0.001). The annual incidence of varicella peaked on May 25, and the incidence peak was during trend, and the incidence rate was higher in women (107.32/100 000) than in men (103.95/100 000). In terms of age distribution, the cases in age group 10-15 years accounted for the highest proportion (24.56%), and in terms of population distribution, the cases in students accounted for the highest proportion (56.29%), followed by farmers (26.23%). Spatiotemporal scanning found that two clustering areas, and 10 townships, including Yunling, Shengping and Yangla in Deqin and Shangri-La in the northern Diqing, formed the first class clustering area from 2016 to 2018. There was a spatial correlation in the incidence of varicella in Diqing, and local autocorrelation suggested that high-high clustering was mainly in Foshan and Yunling of Deqin. Standard deviation ellipse and center analysis showed that the spatial pattern distribution of reported varicella incidence in Diqing showed a shift from the northwest to the southeast.

Conclusion From 2014 to 2023, the incidence of varicella in Diqing showed an overall downward trend, the cases mainly occurred in the northwestern Diqing. It is necessary to further strengthen the investigation of the clustering areas of varicella for the development of targeted prevention and control measures.