Epidemiological characteristics of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in Xiaoshan, China, 2013-2016 / 中国人兽共患病学报

ABSTRACT

To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus from 2013 to 2016 in Xiaoshan,China,we collected the epidemiological data of human A(H7N9) cases as well as the results of environmental monitoring and analyzed it by case study,descriptive epidemiological method,and statistical analysis.Results showed that a total of 22 cases were confirmed,including 12 deaths.All the cases occurred in winter and spring,and most of them had been exposed to live poultry,and with the underlying condition of chronic diseases.Chi-square test showed that the ratio of cases with chronic diseases in death group was higher (P=0.01).The environmental monitoring result showed there were distinctive seasonal differences of positive rate with peaks in winter and spring and nadirs in autumn and summer.Positive rates for the samples from external environmental monitoring were consistent with the distribution of the case onset.Due to rise of environmental monitoring positive rate,we should be alert to the occurrence of new cases,especially in rural areas where live poultry fairs still exist and among people with occupational exposure.We should further improve ability to prevent and control this disease.