Epidemic trend and epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis in Chengyang District of Qingdao City from 2016 to 2020 / 中华地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the epidemic trend and epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis in Chengyang District of Qingdao City, and to provide a theoretical reference for formulating scientific prevention and control measures.Methods:The data of confirmed and clinically diagnosed brucellosis cases with current address in Chengyang District of Qingdao City reported by China Disease Control and Prevention Information System from January 2016 to December 2020 were collected, and the epidemic trend, three-dimensional distribution, clinical characteristics, case consultation and disease outcome and epidemiological history of human brucellosis were descriptively analyzed.Results:From 2016 to 2020, 23 cases of human brucellosis were reported in Chengyang District of Qingdao City, with an annual incidence of 0.52/100 000, and the incidence was decreasing year by year (χ 2trend = 7.83, P = 0.005). The onset time was mainly distributed in spring and summer, of which spring (1, 5 and 5 cases respectively from March to May) accounted for 47.83% (11/23), and summer (1, 4 and 1 cases respectively from June to August) accounted for 26.09% (6/23). There were 13 cases of males and 10 cases of females, the ratio of male to female was 1.30 ∶ 1.00; the age of onset was (52.52 ± 14.67) years old, mainly from 40 to 65 years old, accounted for 65.22% (15/23); farmers accounted for 69.57% (16/23). The largest number of reported cases was in Chengyang Street (6 cases), followed by Xiazhuang Street (4 cases) and Liuting Street (4 cases), accounted for 60.87% (14/23). The main clinical manifestations were fever (21 cases, 91.30%), followed by muscle and joint soreness (18 cases, 78.26%), fatigue (18 cases, 78.26%), and hyperhidrosis (15 cases, 65.22%). The median time interval from onset to diagnosis was 27 days, and 82.61% (19/23) of the cases were diagnosed as brucellosis at the acute stage. After follow-up, 21 cases (91.30%) reached the recovery standard, and 2 cases (8.70%) improved. Verified by the epidemiological investigation, 23 cases of human brucellosis had multiple routes of infection. The main mode of infection was direct contact, including feeding suspected sick animals (8 cases, 34.78%), contacting urine, feces and other excrement of suspected sick animals (8 cases, 34.78%), delivering suspected sick animals/disposing the apoblema (5 cases, 21.74%), and slaughtering/contacting raw lamb (4 cases, 17.39%). Conclusions:From 2016 to 2020, the incidence of human brucellosis in Chengyang District of Qingdao City has decreased year by year. It occurs frequently in spring and summer, mainly in middle-aged and elderly male farmers. The main clinical manifestation is fever and there are multiple ways of infection. It is recommended to take multiple measures to strengthen health education, behavioral intervention and regular monitoring.