RESUMO
Objective:To analyze the spatial distribution characteristics and spatial aggregation of the epidemic of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome(SFTS) in Yantai City of Shandong Province, and to provide basis for formulating effective SFTS prevention and control measures.Methods:The epidemic data of SFTS confirmed cases in each township (street) in Yantai City, Shandong Province from 2015 to 2020 were collected from the "China Disease Prevention and Control Information System Infectious Disease Monitoring and Reporting System", and ArcGIS 10.2 software was used for spatial autocorrelation analysis.Results:From 2015 to 2020, a total of 839 SFTS cases were reported in Yantai City, including 124 deaths; with an average annual incidence rate of 2.14/100 000, and a total case fatality rate of 14.78%. Global spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that the distribution of SFTS cases in Yantai City from 2015 to 2020 showed a positive spatial correlation, with the highest spatial correlation in 2015 (Moran's I = 0.25, Z = 5.66, P < 0.001), and the lowest in 2018 (Moran's I = 0.16, Z = 3.69, P < 0.001). Local spatial autocorrelation and hotspot analysis showed that the epidemic areas of SFTS were mainly in some mountainous and hilly townships (streets) of Laizhou City, Penglai District, Qixia City, Zhaoyuan City, and Haiyang City. Conclusions:The distribution of SFTS epidemic in Yantai City has obvious regional clustering. Intervention measures such as publicity, education and monitoring should be strengthened in high-incidence areas to reduce the incidence of the disease.