Prevalence and spatial distribution characteristics of human echinococcosis in China

Background Echinococcosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by larval stages of cestodes belonging to the genus Echinococcus. The infection affects people’s health and safety as well as agropastoral sector. In China, human echinococcosis is a major public health burden, especially in western China. Echinococcosis affects people health as well as agricultural and pastoral economy. Therefore, it is important to understand the prevalence status and spatial distribution of human echinococcosis in order to advance our knowledge of basic information for prevention and control measures reinforcement. Methods Report data on echinococcosis were collected in 370 counties in China in 2018 and were used to assess prevalence and spatial distribution. SPSS 21.0 was used to obtain the prevalence rate for CE and AE. For statistical analyses and mapping, all data were processed using SPSS 21.0 and ArcGIS 10.4, respectively. Chi-square test and Exact probability method were used to assess spatial autocorrelation and spatial clustering. Results A total of 47,278 cases of echinococcosis were recorded in 2018 in 370 endemic counties in China. The prevalence rate of human echinococcosis was 10.57 per 10,000. Analysis of the disease prevalence showed obvious spatial positive autocorrelation in globle spatial autocorrelation with two aggregation modes in local spatial autocorrelation, namely high-high and low-high aggregation areas. The high-high gathering areas were mainly concentrated in northern Tibet, western Qinghai, and Ganzi in the Tibetan Autonomous Region and in Sichuan. The low-high clusters were concentrated in Gamba, Kangma and Yadong counties of Tibet. In addition, spatial scanning analysis revealed two spatial clusters. One type of spatial clusters included 71 counties in Tibet Autonomous Region, 22 counties in Qinghai, 11 counties in Sichuan, three counties in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, two counties in Yunnan, and one county in Gansu. In the second category, six types of spatial clusters were observed in the counties of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and the Qinghai, Gansu, and Sichuan Provinces. Conclusion This study showed a serious prevalence of human echinococcosis with obvious spatial aggregation of the disease prevalence in China. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the "hot spot" area of human echinococcosis in China. Findings from this study indicate that there is an urgent need of joint strategies to strengthen efforts for the prevention and control of echinococcosis in China, especially in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

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Prevalence and spatial distribution patterns of human echinococcosis at the township level in Sichuan Province, China

Infectious Diseases of Poverty ◽

10.1186/s40249-021-00862-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Wei He ◽

Li-Ying Wang ◽

Wen-Jie Yu ◽

Guang-Jia Zhang ◽

Bo Zhong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Spatial Autocorrelation ◽

Prevention And Control ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Sichuan Province ◽

Distribution Map ◽

Distribution Features ◽

And Control ◽

Spatial Distribution Map ◽

Human Echinococcosis

Abstract Background Echinococcosis is a global zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus larvae. This disease is highly endemic in Sichuan Province, China. This study investigates the prevalence and spatial distribution characteristics of human echinococcosis at the township level in Sichuan Province, geared towards providing a future reference for the development of precise prevention and control strategies. Methods Human prevalence of echinococcosis was evaluated using the B-ultrasonography diagnostic method in Sichuan Province between 2016 and 2019. All data were collected, collated, and analyzed. A spatial distribution map was drawn to intuitively analyze the spatial distribution features. Eventually, the spatial autocorrelation was specified and local indicators of spatial association (LISA) clustering map was drawn to investigate the spatial aggregation of echinococcosis at the township level in Sichuan Province. Results The prevalence of echinococcosis in humans of Sichuan Province was 0.462%, among which the occurrence of cystic echinococcosis (CE) was 0.221%, while that of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) was 0.244%. Based on the results of the spatial distribution map, a predominance of echinococcosis in humans decreased gradually from west to east and from north to south. The Global Moran’s I index was 0.77 (Z = 32.07, P < 0.05), indicating that the prevalence of echinococcosis in humans was spatially clustered, exhibiting a significant spatial positive correlation. Further, the findings of local spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed that the “high–high” concentration areas were primarily located in some townships in the northwest of Sichuan Province. However, the “low–low” concentration areas were predominantly located in some townships in the southeast of Sichuan Province. Conclusions Our findings demonstrated that the prevalence of echinococcosis in humans of Sichuan Province follows a downward trend, suggesting that the current prevention and control work has achieved substantial outcomes. Nevertheless, the prevalence in humans at the township level is widely distributed and differs significantly, with a clear clustering in space. Therefore, precise prevention and control strategies should be formulated for clusters, specifically strengthening the “high–high” clusters at the township level. Graphic Abstract

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Analysis of Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Human Echinococcosis at the Township Level in Sichuan Province, China

10.21203/rs.3.rs-160062/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Wei He ◽

Wen-jie Yu ◽

Guang-jia Zhang ◽

Sha Liao ◽

Qi Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Prevention And Control ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Sichuan Province ◽

Distribution Map ◽

Trend Surface Analysis ◽

Spatial Distribution Characteristics ◽

And Control ◽

Spatial Distribution Map ◽

Human Echinococcosis

Abstract BackgroundEchinococcosis is a global zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the larvae of Echinococcus, which affects both humans and animals. In China, this disease is highly endemic in Sichuan Province. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and spatial distribution characteristics of human echinococcosis at the township level in Sichuan province, so as to provide a reference for the development of precise prevention and control strategies in the future.MethodsWe explored the prevalence of echinococcosis using the B-ultrasonography diagnostic method in Sichuan province between 2016 and 2019, where patients and transmission conditions had been identified in the past. All data were inputted using Epi-Info software, while SPSS software was used for statistical analysis. We then employed ArcGIS software to draw the spatial distribution map and perform trend surface analysis. Finally, Geoda software was used to analyze spatial autocorrelation and draw Lisa clustering map.ResultsA total of 2 542 135 people from 649 towns in 35 counties of Sichuan province were screened for echinococcosis, of which 11 743 echinococcosis patients were detected. The prevalence of echinococcosis in humans was 0.462%, among which the occurrence of cystic echinococcosis [CE] was 0.221%, while that of alveolar echinococcosis [AE] was 0.244%. We also observed that the predominance of echinococcosis in humans decreased gradually from west to east and from north to south based on the results of the spatial distribution map and trend surface analysis. The Global Moran's I index was 0.77 (Z = 32.07, P < 0.05), which indicated that the prevalence of echinococcosis in humans was spatially clustered, exhibiting a significant spatial positive correlation. Further, the findings of local spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed that the “high-high” concentration areas were primarily located in some townships in the northwest of Sichuan province. On the other hand, the “low-low” concentration areas were predominantly located in some townships in the southeast of Sichuan province. ConclusionOur findings demonstrated that the prevalence of echinococcosis in humans of Sichuan province is following a downward trend, implying that the current prevention and control work has achieved some substantial outcomes. However, the prevalence in humans at the township level is widely distributed and differs greatly, with a clear clustering in space. Therefore in the future, precise prevention and control strategies should be formulated for clusters, particularly strengthening the “high-high” clusters at the township level.

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A Pilot Study on Deworming Wild Foxes for Echinococcus spp. in Qinghai, China

Iranian Journal of Parasitology ◽

10.18502/ijpa.v16i4.7880 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Zhihong Guo ◽

Hong Duo ◽

Xueyong Zhang ◽

Yijuan Ma ◽

Xiuying Shen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prevention And Control ◽

Parasite Species ◽

Scientific Basis ◽

Tibet Plateau ◽

Plateau Area ◽

One Year ◽

And Control ◽

Qinghai Tibet Plateau ◽

Echinococcus Spp

Background: Wild foxes play an important role in echinococcosis epidemics. There have been a few studies investigating Echinococcus spp. in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau area, China, but none on the prevention and control of Echinococcus spp. in wild foxes. Methods: From 2016 March through December 2019, two wild fox dens were selected as two test sites based on prior long-term camera screening and observation. Anthelmintic praziquantel tablets were placed near the two dens of wild foxes, and the wild foxes freely consumed the anthelmintic drugs. Morphological methods were used to detect initially the parasite species, and PCR molecular methods were used to identify accurately parasite and host species. Results: Parasite eggs of E. multilocularis (2/11, 18.2%) were found in 11 fecal samples. Importantly, the eggs of E. multilocularis (1/21, 4.8%) were found again in the feces of the foxes one year later; moreover, the eggs of E. multilocularis (2/19, 10.5%) still existed in the feces of the foxes two years later. Conclusion: Wild foxes were repeatedly infected with E. multilocularis and that deworming for prevention and control is required at least twice per year. Prevention and control methods for echinococcosis in wild foxes were explored, providing a scientific basis for the prevention and control of echinococcosis in wild animals.

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The state of the leprosy epidemic in Yunnan, China 2011–2020: A spatial and spatiotemporal analysis, highlighting areas for intervention

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

10.1371/journal.pntd.0009783 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (10) ◽

pp. e0009783

Author(s):

Xiaohua Chen ◽

Tie-Jun Shui

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Information System ◽

Spatial Distribution ◽

Spatial Autocorrelation ◽

Prevention And Control ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Distribution Analysis ◽

Important Public Health Problem ◽

And Control ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics

Background Despite public health efforts to reduce the leprosy burden in Yunnan, China, leprosy remains an important public health problem in some specific areas. We analyzed the epidemiological characteristics and spatial distribution of leprosy in Yunnan, China, and provide data to guide disease prevention and control efforts. Methodology/principal findings The surveillance data of newly detected leprosy cases in Yunnan, China, during 2011–2020 were extracted from the LEPROSY MANAGEMANT INFORMATION SYSTEM IN CHINA (LEPMIS), and spatial distribution analysis, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and spatiotemporal scanning were performed with ArcGIS 10.6.1, GeoDa 1.8.8, and SaTScan 9.4.3 software, respectively. A total of 1907 newly detected leprosy cases were reported in Yunnan, China, during 2011–2020. The new case detection rate (NCDR) decreased from 0.62 in 2011 to 0.25 in 2020, with an annual incidence of 0.41/100,000 population. The proportions of multibacillary (MB) cases, cases in female patients, cases causing grade 2 physical disability (G2D), and cases in pediatric patients were 67.07%, 33.93%, 17.99%, and 2.83%, respectively. The number of counties with an incidence above 1/100,000 population decreased from 30 in 2011 to 8 in 2020. The Moran’s I of leprosy in Yunnan, China, during 2011–2020 ranged from 0.076 to 0.260, indicating the presence of spatial clusters. Local spatial autocorrelation (LSA) analysis showed that high-high cluster areas (hot spots) were mainly distributed in the southeastern, northern, and northwestern regions. Spatiotemporal scanning showed three clusters with high NCDRs. The probably primary clusters, occurring during January 1, 2011–December 31, 2015, covered 11 counties in the southeastern region (RR = 5.046515, LRR = 271.749664, P = 0.000). Conclusion The number of leprosy cases in Yunnan decreased overall, although some high-NCDR regions remained. Geographic information system (GIS) analysis coupled with spatial analysis indicated regions with leprosy clusters. Continuous leprosy prevention and control strategies in Yunnan Province should be established, and interventions in high-risk regions should be prioritized and further strengthened.

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