Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of human brucellosis in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of Hubei Province from 2012 to 2019 / 中华地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of human brucellosis in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (Enshi Prefecture) of Hubei Province, and to provide a basis for prevention and control of local brucellosis.Methods:Using descriptive epidemiological methods, the data of reported cases of brucellosis in Enshi Prefecture from 2012 to 2019 (from the "Enshi Infectious Disease Reporting Information Management System" and the medical record system of hospitals in counties and cities within the jurisdiction of Enshi Prefecture) were collected, and the three distributions (population, time, region distributions) and clinical manifestations of human brucellosis cases were statistically described and analyzed.Results:A total of 78 brucellosis cases were reported in Enshi Prefecture from 2012 to 2019, with an average annual incidence rate of 0.193 5/100 000. Among the 78 cases of brucellosis reported, the sex ratio of men to women was 2.12∶1.00 (53∶25); the age of onset was mainly from 30 to 59 years old, accounting for 75.64% (59/78); the occupation was mainly farmer, accounting for 88.46% (69/78); the main contact animal was sheep, accounting for 80.77% (63/78). There were reported cases of brucellosis throughout the year, and the main onset months were May, June, September, November, and December, accounting for 55.13% (43/78) of the total number. From 2012 to 2019, all counties and cities in Enshi Prefecture except Xianfeng County and Hefeng County had reported cases. Among them, Lichuan City had the most cases, with 55 cases (70.51%). The main clinical manifestations of reported cases of brucellosis were fever, fatigue, hyperhidrosis, and muscle and joint pain, which accounted for 98.72% (77 cases), 89.74% (70 cases), 79.49% (62 cases), and 69.23% (54 cases), respectively.Conclusions:The majority of patients with brucellosis in Enshi Prefecture are young and middle-aged male farmers, with the highest incidence in Lichuan City. Relevant departments should increase the propaganda of brucellosis, increase the people's awareness of disease prevention, and strengthen the prevention and control measures of high-risk groups and regions to reduce the incidence of brucellosis.