Epidemic characteristics and treatment effect of the first dengue fever outbreak in Hubei Province / 公共卫生与预防医学

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the epidemic characteristics of the first local outbreak of dengue fever in Huangzhou District, Huanggang City, Hubei Province in August 2019, to evaluate the treatment effect of the epidemic situation, and to provide reference for the prevention and control of dengue fever in the future. Methods Retrospective investigation was carried out according to the case definition. The serum IgM, IgG, NS1 antigen, and dengue virus nucleic acid of the patients were detected. The density of mosquito larvae was monitored by Breteau index and the density of adults was monitored by a double mosquito net method. Results A total of 50 cases were detected from the first case on June 21 to the last case on September 11. No severe cases or deaths occurred. The main clinical manifestations were fever (94.00%), weakness (78.00%), headache (48.00%), muscle and joint pain (37.00%), and skin rashes (26.00%). The epidemic peak was from August 20 to September 1. The cases were distributed in two villages adjacent to one street (Yuwang Street) (49 cases in Weijialiangting Village and 1 case in Fanjiawan Village). Among the patients, 23 were male and 27 were female. The male to female ratio was 0.851. The age of onset was mainly 50 years and above, accounting for 89.1%. The occupational distribution was dominated by farmers and housework and unemployed, each accounting for 26.10%, followed by workers at 13.00%. The epidemic family aggregation was obvious. Eight cases were positive for dengue virus nucleic acid and the genotype was DENV-1. From the discovery of the outbreak to the end of the emergency response, the living environment of villagers of all towns (streets) in Huangzhou District had been significantly improved, and BI of key streets dropped below 5. Conclusion This was a local outbreak caused by an imported case. Insufficient medical personnel for the diagnosis and identification, poor environmental sanitation, and high mosquito density were the main reasons for the outbreak of dengue fever. The focus of prevention and control is the early detection and standardized management of infection sources, the cleaning of mosquito breeding environment and the rapid killing of adult mosquitoes.