Abstract:

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and occurrence trends of public health emergencies caused by other infectious diarrhea in Anhui Province in recent years, so as to provide strategic basis for the prevention and control of such infectious diseases. Methods The information related to public health emergencies caused by other infectious diarrhea reported in Anhui Province from 2018 to 2022 was retrieved through the Public Health Emergency Management Information System under the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System, and descriptively analyzed for the characteristics, including the event classification, temporal, regional and population distribution, and transmission routes. Results A total of 115 public health emergencies caused by other infectious diarrhea were reported in Anhui Province from 2018 to 2022, which cumulatively involved 5 822 cases. No death was reported. The events were primarily unclassified (78 events, 67.83%) and the rest were at general scale (37 events, 32.17%). Overall, the occurrence of events showed two peaks in spring (March) and fall/winter (October-December), with a cumulative number of 71 events (61.74%) and 3 831 cases (65.80%) in the four months reported. Temporal distribution varied in different years, among which 2020 and 2022 were in single peak distribution, and 2018, 2019 and 2021 were in bimodal distribution. Huangshan City (25 events, 21.74%), Hefei City (18 events, 15.65%) and Wuhu City (12 events, 10.43%) ranked the top three cities by the number of reported incidents, and Huangshan City (1 453 cases, 24.96%), Hefei City (976 cases, 16.76%) and Xuancheng City (721 cases, 12.38%) stood on the top three by the number of reported cases. The constituent ratio of the number of reported incidents in southern, central and northern Anhui was 53.04%, 40.00% and 6.96%, respectively, and the constituent ratio of the number of reported cases was 58.47%, 37.46% and 4.07%, respectively. Single transmission routes were mostly associated with daily life contact (84 cases, 90.32%), and multiple transmission routes were involved in daily life contact as well. The major place of occurrence of the incidents was in school campus (101 events, 87.83%). The pathogen was clearly identified in 103 incidents, in which norovirus infection predominated (100 events, 97.09%). Conclusion Prevention of public health emergencies caused by other infectious diarrhea in Anhui Province should focus on schools, and further strengthening routine monitoring and pathogen detection as well as targeted health education in order to reduce the risks of the incidents.

Key words: Other infectious diarrhea, Public health emergency, Epidemiological characteristics, Anhui Province