Discussion on the challenges and countermeasures of cross-regional medical treatment for plague prevention and control

YUAN Yuming; YAN Dong

doi:10.19821/j.1671-2781.2025.03.020

Abstract：Objective To analyze the medical treatment methods of plague patients in recent years and explore countermeasures for human plague prevention and control.Methods Data on human plague epidemics from 2019 to 2023 were collected,and the descriptive epidemiological methods were used to conduct statistical analysis.Results From 2019 to 2023,there were 17 human plague cases with 6 death cases,and the mortality rate was 35.29％.The plague epidemic focus with human cases were the plague natural focus of Meriones unguiculatus in Inner Mongolian Plateau,the plague natural focus of Marmota himalayana in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,and the plague natural focus of Rattus tanezumi in Mountain Region of Northwestern Yunnan and Costal Residential Areas of Fujian and Guangdong.According to the medical treatment methods,10 cases sought temporary cross-regional medical treatments,accounting for 58.82％,and 4 cases sought cross-province medical treatment(23.53％),5 cases sought cross-city medical treatment(29.41％)and 1 case sought cross-country medical treatment(5.88％).7 cases sought local medical treatments,accounting for 41.18％.Conclusion Cross-regional medical treatment may increase the risk of epidemic spread and amplify difficulties in prevention and control.It is essential to enhance the capacity building of infectious disease diagnosis and treatment in primary hospitals by utilizing big data and internet technologies to establish a remote expert consultation system.Establish a diagnosis and treatment system for acute infectious diseases based on county-level hospitals,supported by designated specialized hospitals and provincial/municipal general hospitals.Regional acute infectious disease testing centers should be established under provincial and municipal centers for disease control and prevention(CDCs),responsible for conducting laboratory testing of all suspected infectious disease specimens within their jurisdictions.