RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) outbreak in Jiashi County of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in 2014, and provide basis for VL prevention and control strategies. METHODS: Data on VL epidemic situation in Xinjiang from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2015 were collected from Chinese CDC Infectious Disease Reporting Information Management System (reporting system). On-site epidemiological investigation was conducted in October, 2014, among children under 3 years in 23 villages in Gholtoghrak Township and Koxawat Township in Jiashi County, regions that had dramatically increased reports of VL cases from July 1. For suspected cases who showed symptoms such as fever and hepato-splenomegaly, blood (20 µl) was collected through fingerstick (with parental guardian consent) for rk39 immunochromatographic strip testing. Chil- dren with positive results were given sodium stibogluconate treatment (6x200 mg/kg, intravenously). RESULTS: A total of 637 VL cases were reported in Xinjiang from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2015. Among the 192 cases reported from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 in Xinjiang, cases from Jiashi County occupied 86.46% (166/192) of the cases. The number of VL cases in Jiashi County showed a trend of increase since the first report in August, with a total number of 114 in October, November and December. The 166 cases in Jiashi County had an age range of 23 days-8 years, with those under one year accounting for 95.18%(158/166). The 113 cases in Gholtoghrak Township of the County had an age range of 23 days-3 years, with those under one year accounting for 96.46% (109/113). The age--distribution of VL casess in the County accorded with the characteristic of the desert type. On-site investigation of 833 children in the 23 villiages revealed 11 children with positive results of rk39 immunochromatographic strip testing out of 14 suspected cases, all recovered after one course of sodium stibogluconate treatment. CONCLUSION: In 2014, VL outbreak occurs in Jiashi County with 95% of the cases being children under one year old. This outbreak was identified to be the desert type.