Epidemiological analysis of plague in Qinghai province between 2000 and 2009 / 中国地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the endemic features of plague in Qinghai province between 2000 and 2009, discover the law of occurrence and progression, in order to provide a scientific basis for further prevention and treatment of the disease. Methods Descriptive epidemiology was employed to analyze the data from on the spot investigation, monitoring reports and papers published between 2000 and 2009. The indicators included the area, host and media distribution of animal plague and area, time, and population distribution of human plague.Results In Qinghai province between 2000 and 2009, 189 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated from a variety of animals and insect vectors, including 77 from the marmot, accounting for 40.74%, 40 from Callopaylla dolabris,accounting for 21.16%. Positive serum antibodies against F1 plague were detected in 238 samples, including 90 samples from husbandry dogs, 63 from woodchucks. The areas with Yersinia pestis were consistent with the areas with positive serum antibodies against F1 plague, which distributed mainly along the Qinghai-Tibet railway Wulan county, Delhi and Golmud Multi-county;confirmed that there was natural foci of plague in Qinghai vole. Between 2000 and 2009, 13 events of human plague occurred, with 37 cases and 16 patients died, mortality was 43.24%.Cases were distributed in 11 townships of Tongde, Xinghai, Qilian, Wulan, Tianjun, Nangqian, Qumalai,Chengduo and Zhiduo counties. May to October was the disease season, with September the peak. Pneumonic plague disease type was the main mode of transmission of the plague and patients often contacted with airborne droplets through the air and peeling fresh Marmota. Conclusions Plague in Qinghai province is still grim,strengthening animal plague surveillance, and timely disposal of animal plague, improving the province's agricultural and pastoral areas, especially increase the disease prevention consciousness of the masses are future tasks. Work should be focused on strengthening the prevention and control of plague along Qinghai-Tibet railway,and prevent the occurrence and long-distance transmission of human plague.