Abstract: Objective To investigate the spatial distribution characteristics of echinococcosis in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau from 2016 to 2020 for evidences in formulating strategies for prevention and control of this infection. Methods The data on echinococcosis cases reported from 2016 to 2020 in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau areas, including Yushu and Golog prefecture of Qinghai Province, Ganzi and Aba prefecture of Sichuan Province, were retrieved from National Infectious Disease Surveillance Report Database, and then analyzed for the global spatial autocorrelation, local spatial autocorrelation and hotspot. Results The average annual incidence rate was 0.032% in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau areas from 2016 to 2020, and the incidence rate showed a downward trend over year (χ2=802.991, P<0.05). Global spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated that the global Moran′s I value was 0.005, 0.088 and -0.046 from 2016 through 2018 (Z=0.281, 1.196, -0.046; all P>0.05), and 0.179, 0.166 respectively for 2019 and 2020 (Z=2.273, 2.316; both P<0.05). Local spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed that the incidence of echinococcosis tended to be cluster distribution in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau areas between 2019 and 2020, characterized by high-high, high-low and low-high tendency. Local Hot Spot Analysis(Getis-Ord Gi*) results showed that the hotspots in 2019 were located in Zhiduo County, Zaduo County, and Yushu City of Qinghai Province, and in 2020 in Aba County, Hongyuan County, Lixian County, Ruoergai County, Songpan County, Heishui County and Maerkang County in Sichuan Province. Conclusion The incidence rate of echinococcosis in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was annually decreased from 2016 to 2020, yet showing a certain degree of spatial clustering. The findings suggest that prevention and control activities for echinococcosis should be intensified in the hotspots.

Key words: Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Echinococcosis, Spatial Clustering, Sichuan Province, Qinghai Province