ABSTRACT
Objectives@#To establish a geographic information application system for analyzing the spatial and temporal distribution of major infectious diseases in various regions of the world and to assess the risk of importation of those diseases, to China.@*Methods@#We collected and integrated the following information on: 1) outbreaks and areas of epidemics of major infectious diseases in the world from 2000 to 2017, 2) cases of infectious diseases in arriving travelers through active surveillance at international entry-exit ports in mainland China from 2014 to 2016, 3) numbers of annual global international flights and travelers in the country. With the above information, a global space-time distribution database on major infectious diseases was then established, using the technology related to the system. Models regarding technologies on time-space analysis, probabilistic risk assessment and geographic information visualization, were applied to establish a geographic information system on risk assessment of infectious diseases that imported to China.@*Results@#Through integration of information on outbreaks and epidemic areas of 60 major infectious diseases in 220 countries and regions around the world, as well as 42 kinds of infectious diseases identified among the international arrivals in mainland China, a system was then developed. Information on the distribution of major infectious diseases and their potential risks in the worldwide various regions, characteristics of spectrum and disease burden of infectious diseases imported to each province of mainland China were displayed. Thus, risks on importing infectious diseases in each province via air way were able to be evaluated and simulated by the probabilistic risk assessment model, under the information on specific kind of infectious disease, outside China.@*Conclusion@#Geographic Information System on Risk Assessment Regarding Infectious Diseases Imported to China provides basic data for epidemiological reconnaissance and assessment on risks of importing infectious diseases outside China, thus would be helpful for the improvement of strategies on surveillance, prevention and control regarding the importing infectious diseases, in China.
ABSTRACT
Spatial epidemiology is a new branch of epidemiology that aims to map the spatial distribution and characteristics as well as to explore the associated influencing factors of diseases by using the geographic information system and other spatial technologies.In recent years,with the rapid development of information-related modern technology,improvement of accessibility on healthrelated services,natural environment,social and economic big data etc.,spatial epidemiology has made considerable progress in both theory and practice and played more important roles in the public health area of China.
ABSTRACT
Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of scrub typhus and influencing factors in Yunnan province,and provide further information for the prevention and control of scrub typhus.Methods Based on the incidence data of scrub typhus reported in Yunnan from 2006 to 2013,the epidemiological characteristics of scrub typhus were analyzed and related environmental factors were identified with panel negative binomial regression model.Results A total of 8 980 scrub typhus cases were reported during 2006-2013 in Yunnan.The average annual incidence was 2.46/100 000,with an uptrend observed.Natural focus expansion was found,affecting 71.3％ of the counties in 2013.The epidemic mainly occurred in summer and autumn with the incidence peak during July-October.The annual incidence was higher in females than in males.More cases occurred in children and farmers,the proportions of cases in farmers and pre-school aged children showed an obvious increase.Panel negative binomial regression model indicated that the transmission risk of scrub typhus was positive associated with monthly temperature and monthly relative humidity.Furthermore,an "U" pattern between the risk and the increased coverage of cropland and grassland as well as an "inverted-U" pattern between the risk and increased coverage of shrub were observed.Conclusion It is necessary to strengthen the scrub typhus surveillance in warm and moist areas as well as the areas with high coverage of cropland and grassland in Yunnan,and the health education in children and farmers who are at high risk.
ABSTRACT
Spatial epidemiology is a new branch of epidemiology that aims to map the spatial distribution and characteristics as well as to explore the associated influencing factors of diseases by using the geographic information system and other spatial technologies.In recent years,with the rapid development of information-related modern technology,improvement of accessibility on healthrelated services,natural environment,social and economic big data etc.,spatial epidemiology has made considerable progress in both theory and practice and played more important roles in the public health area of China.
ABSTRACT
Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of scrub typhus and influencing factors in Yunnan province,and provide further information for the prevention and control of scrub typhus.Methods Based on the incidence data of scrub typhus reported in Yunnan from 2006 to 2013,the epidemiological characteristics of scrub typhus were analyzed and related environmental factors were identified with panel negative binomial regression model.Results A total of 8 980 scrub typhus cases were reported during 2006-2013 in Yunnan.The average annual incidence was 2.46/100 000,with an uptrend observed.Natural focus expansion was found,affecting 71.3％ of the counties in 2013.The epidemic mainly occurred in summer and autumn with the incidence peak during July-October.The annual incidence was higher in females than in males.More cases occurred in children and farmers,the proportions of cases in farmers and pre-school aged children showed an obvious increase.Panel negative binomial regression model indicated that the transmission risk of scrub typhus was positive associated with monthly temperature and monthly relative humidity.Furthermore,an "U" pattern between the risk and the increased coverage of cropland and grassland as well as an "inverted-U" pattern between the risk and increased coverage of shrub were observed.Conclusion It is necessary to strengthen the scrub typhus surveillance in warm and moist areas as well as the areas with high coverage of cropland and grassland in Yunnan,and the health education in children and farmers who are at high risk.