[Analysis on Malaria Situation in Shaanxi Province during 2005-2014].

Objective: To analyze the malaria situation in Shaanxi Province during 2005-2014, in the aim of providing reference for improving malaria elimination strategies and measures. Methods: Data on malaria control and malaria epidemic reports during 2005-2014 were collected, and analysis was made on prevalence and regional distribution of malaria, species of plasmodium, diagnosis of patients, and sources of imported malaria. Results: Four hundred and fifty three cases of malaria were reported in Shaanxi Province during 2005-2014, consisting of 73 local cases （16.1%） and 380 imported cases （83.9%） of which 141 were falciparum malaria （37.1%, 141/380）. Three patients died and they all were imported cases of falciparum malaria. No indigenous infection had been reported since 2011. Most of the cases were laboratory-confirmed（71.5%, 324/453）. The falciparum malaria cases accounted for 31.1%（141/453） of all the cases, and they all were imported cases. No cases of quartan malaria and ovale malaria were reported. The 73 indigenous cases distributed in 25 districts (counties) of 7 cities, including 3 cities in South Shaanxi (Shangluo, Hanzhong, Ankang)（61.6%, 45/73） and four cities in Central Shaanxi (Xi'an, Weinan, Xianyang, Baoji) (38.4%, 28/73）. The imported cases showed an increasing trend from 24 in 2005 to 59 in 2014. The 380 imported cases were mainly from over 20 countries in Africa （72.6%, 276/380）, with top sources of Angola （64 cases）, Cameroon （26）, Ghana （24）, and Equatorial Guinea （23） accounting for 36.0% （ 137/380）. The median of interval from onset to diagnosis was 5 d. The cases were mainly reported by clinical medical institutions （87.6%, 397/453）, only 7.5% （34/453） were reported by disease control institutions. Conclusion: No indigenous cases have been reported since 2011, but the imported malaria cases show a trend of increase with a major source of Africa.

Genetic source tracking of an anthrax outbreak in Shaanxi province, China.

BACKGROUND: Anthrax is an acute zoonotic infectious disease caused by the bacterium known as Bacillus anthracis. From 26 July to 8 August 2015, an outbreak with 20 suspected cutaneous anthrax cases was reported in Ganquan County, Shaanxi province in China. The genetic source tracking analysis of the anthrax outbreak was performed by molecular epidemiological methods in this study. METHODS: Three molecular typing methods, namely canonical single nucleotide polymorphisms (canSNP), multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA), and single nucleotide repeat (SNR) analysis, were used to investigate the possible source of transmission and identify the genetic relationship among the strains isolated from human cases and diseased animals during the outbreak. RESULTS: Five strains isolated from diseased mules were clustered together with patients' isolates using canSNP typing and MLVA. The causative B. anthracis lineages in this outbreak belonged to the A.Br.001/002 canSNP subgroup and the MLVA15-31 genotype (the 31 genotype in MLVA15 scheme). Because nine isolates from another four provinces in China were clustered together with outbreak-related strains by the canSNP (A.Br.001/002 subgroup) and MLVA15 method (MLVA15-31 genotype), still another SNR analysis (CL10, CL12, CL33, and CL35) was used to source track the outbreak, and the results suggesting that these patients in the anthrax outbreak were probably infected by the same pathogen clone. CONCLUSIONS: It was deduced that the anthrax outbreak occurred in Shaanxi province, China in 2015 was a local occurrence.

[Evaluation on implementation effect of Malaria Elimination Project supported by Global Fund in Shaanxi Province].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the implementation effect of Malaria Elimination Project supported by the Global Fund in Shaanxi Province so as to provide the evidence for the scientific implementation of Malaria Elimination Action Plan and the examination and evaluation work. METHODS: The data of malaria prevention and control work were collected and analyzed statistically in 27 counties from 2010 to 2012 in order to evaluate the measures and effects of malaria control. RESULTS: There were 64 reported cases in the project areas from 2010 to 2012, and the average annual incidence rate was 0.15/10 million with a declining trend. The infected area sources of patients were mainly imported overseas accounting for 79.69% of the total cases. The blood completion rate of febrile patients was 94.14%, and the scope of the blood smears testing work had expanded to 88 counties (including 61 third-class counties). The training coverage rate of malaria prevention knowledge and skills had achieved to 100%. The awareness rates of malaria prevention and control were 91.68% and 89.44% in the students and local residents respectively. The case reporting within 24 h after diagnosed, epidemiological case study and outbreak disposal, laboratory testing and confirming and the other case management capabilities had also improved significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of the Global Fund Malaria Project in Shaanxi Province has accelerated the process of Malaria Elimination work and improved significantly the malaria control ability in the project areas.