Spatiotemporal clustering analysis and risk assessments of human cutaneous anthrax in China, 2005-2012

Wen Yi Zhang, Li Ya Wang, Xiu Shan Zhang, Zhi Hai Han, Wen Biao Hu, Quan Qian, Ubydul Haque, Ricardo J.Soares Magalhaes, Shen Long Li, Shi Lu Tong, Cheng Yi Li, Hai Long Sun, Yan Song Sun

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10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective To investigate the epidemic characteristics of human cutaneous anthrax (CA) in China, detect the spatiotemporal clusters at the county level for preemptive public health interventions, and evaluate the differences in the epidemiological characteristics within and outside clusters. Methods CA cases reported during 2005-2012 from the national surveillance system were evaluated at the county level using space-time scan statistic. Comparative analysis of the epidemic characteristics within and outside identified clusters was performed using using the ÷2 test or Kruskal-Wallis test. Results The group of 30-39 years had the highest incidence of CA, and the fatality rate increased with age, with persons ≥70 years showing a fatality rate of 4.04%. Seasonality analysis showed that most of CA cases occurred between May/June and September/October of each year. The primary spatiotemporal cluster contained 19 counties from June 2006 to May 2010, and it was mainly located straddling the borders of Sichuan, Gansu, and Qinghai provinces. In these high-risk areas, CA cases were predominantly found among younger, local, males, shepherds, who were living on agriculture and stockbreeding and characterized with high morbidity, low mortality and a shorter period from illness onset to diagnosis. Conclusion CA was geographically and persistently clustered in the Southwestern China during 2005-2012, with notable differences in the epidemic characteristics within and outside spatiotemporal clusters; this demonstrates the necessity for CA interventions such as enhanced surveillance, health education, mandatory and standard decontamination or disinfection procedures to be geographically targeted to the areas identified in this study.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere0133736
JournalPLoS ONE
Volume10
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 24 Jul 2015

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