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Scrub typhus is a life-threatening disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, an obligate intracellular bacterium transmitted by the larvae of trombiculid mites (1). Only biting larvae of Asian scrub typhus chiggers [...]

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) cause acute hepatitis in humans and are transmitted mainly through the fecal-oral route. Hepatitis A and hepatitis E became notifiable in [...]

Brucellosis is a bacterial zoonosis caused by Brucella spp., which can be transmitted from animal reservoirs, such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, to humans through direct contact with infected [...]

Anthrax is an acute infectious zoonotic disease caused by the gram-positive, aerobic, nonmotile bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which can survive in soil for decades as an extremely resistant form (spores) (1). [...]

Scrub typhus, a miteborne rickettsiosis, has emerged in many areas globally. We analyzed the incidence and spatial-temporal distribution of scrub typhus in China during 1952-1989 and 2006-2016 using national disease surveillance data. A total of 133,623 cases and 174 deaths were recorded. The average annual incidence was 0.13 cases/100,000 population during 1952-1989; incidence increased sharply from 0.09/100,000 population in 2006 to 1.60/100,000 population in 2016. The disease, historically endemic to southern China, has expanded to all the provinces across both rural and urban areas. We identified 3 distinct seasonal patterns nationwide; infections peaked in summer in the southwest, summer-autumn in the southeast, and autumn in the middle-east. Persons >40 years of age and in nonfarming occupations had a higher risk for death. The changing epidemiology of scrub typhus in China warrants an enhanced disease control and prevention program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using national surveillance data for 120,111 human anthrax cases recorded during 1955-2014, we analyzed the temporal, seasonal, geographic, and demographic distribution of this disease in China. After 1978, incidence decreased until 2013, when it reached a low of 0.014 cases/100,000 population. The case-fatality rate, cumulatively 3.6% during the study period, has also decreased since 1990. Cases occurred throughout the year, peaking in August. Geographic distribution decreased overall from west to east, but the cumulative number of affected counties increased during 2005-2014. The disease has shifted from industrial to agricultural workers; 86.7% of cases occurred in farmers and herdsmen. Most (97.7%) reported cases were the cutaneous form. Although progress has been made in reducing incidence, this study highlights areas that need improvement. Adequate laboratory diagnosis is lacking; only 7.6% of cases received laboratory confirmation. Geographic expansion of the disease indicates that livestock control programs will be essential in eradicating anthrax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to estimate influenza-like illness (ILI) prevalence, influenza-related healthcare seeking behaviors, and willingness for vaccination. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study based on a random dialing telephone survey was conducted from October 2017 through March 2018 to assess influenza-like illness prevalence and vaccination willingness among different demographic groups. Results: 10,045 individuals were enrolled and completed the survey. A total of 2834 individuals (28%) self-reported that they have suffered from influenza-like illness, especially children under 15 years of age. Overall willingness for influenza vaccination in the 2018/2019 influenza season was 45% and was positively associated with higher education level, recommendation from doctors, cost-free vaccination, and vaccination campaigns with employers' support. Hospitalization and seeking medicine from pharmacies was less frequent in urban locations. People under 15 and over 60 years of age sought medical service more frequently. Conclusions: ILI prevalence differed significantly by age and geographical location/population density. Vaccination policy for motivating key populations at highest risk to vaccinate should take into consideration the awareness-raising of vaccination benefits, barriers reduction of vaccination such as cost, and recommendation via healthcare professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To learn the characteristics of morbidity and mortality of notifiable diseases reported in China in 2013., Methods: Descriptive analysis method was used to analyze the morbidity and mortality of notifiable diseases in China in 2013, with Microsoft Excel 2010 and ArcGIS 10.0 used to develop statistical charts., Results: In 2013, the morbidity of the nationwide notifiable diseases was 473.87/100 000, a decrease of 3% below the average of the recent 3 years, while the mortality was 1.23/100 000, an increase of 2% over the average of the recent 3 years. The rate of laboratory diagnosis of the reported cases was 38.4%. Top 5 diseases of the reported incidence were hand foot and mouth disease, other infectious diarrhea, hepatitis B, tuberculosis and syphilis. The death cases reported were mainly AIDS, tuberculosis and rabies. As classified by the transmission route analysis, intestinal infectious diseases accounted for 49% of the total incidence reported for the year, followed by the blood and sexually transmitted infectious diseases, respiratory infectious diseases, animal and vector borne infectious diseases. According to the pathogenic analysis, virus infectious diseases accounted for 68% of the total cases, higher than bacterial infectious diseases and animal-borne/vector-borne infectious diseases. In Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, human infection with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus was emerging, as epidemic situation of measles, dengue fever and brucellosis were on the rise significantly nationwide, while the morbidity of infectious diseases decreased, namely pulmonary tuberculosis, hepatitis B among others. Morbidity of the top 5 provinces for notifiable infectious diseases were Hainan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Xinjiang and Zhejiang, respectively., Conclusion: The proportion of laboratory confirmed cases among totals was still low in 2013. The morbidity of the infectious diseases was higher in western provinces and parts of south-eastern province, the mortality was higher in western provinces. The emerging human infection with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus, and the high epidemic of measles, dengue fever and brucellosis in some areas had caught the society concerns.