Prevalence and spatio-temporal clustering of visceral leishmaniasis in Gansu Province from 2015 to 2021 / 中华地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze the epidemic status and spatial and temporal cluster distribution of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Gansu Province, and to provide evidence for making precise prevention and control measures and epidemic surveillance.Methods:The data of VL cases in Gansu Province reported in the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System Infectious Disease Reporting Information Management System from 2015 to 2021 were collected, descriptive epidemiology analysis was performed (three distribution of the disease). SaTScan v9.6 and ArcMap 10.7 were used for spatio-temporal cluster analysis.Results:A total of 368 VL cases were reported from 2015 to 2021, 89.13% (328/368) were concentrated in Longnan City and Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The number of VL cases increased year by year from 2015 to 2017, reaching a peak in 2017 (79 cases, accounting for 21.47%), and had decreased year by year since 2018. There were cases every month throughout the year, and the peak was in April in spring (38 cases). The ratio of male to female patients was 1.3 ∶ 1.0 (208/160). Scattered children aged less than 5 years old were more common (41.30%, 152/368). The spatio-temporal cluster analysis showed that both the spatial and temporal aggregation zones of VL in Tanchang County and Chengxian County were of statistical significance ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:The incidence of VL in Gansu Province is showing a low epidemic trend, having spatio-temporal aggregation, and precise monitoring and prevention and control should be strengthened in epidemic areas with different prevalence levels.