Surveillance and analysis of main rodent-borne diseases and rodent pathogen carriage in Xiamen from 2021 to 2024

LIN Minzhen; CHEN Huafang; XU Xuerong; WU Sihan; CAI Chunxiang; LUO Guikun

doi:10.19821/j.1671-2781.2025.06.023

Abstract：Objective To investigate the epidemic status of rodent-borne diseases and the natural infection of rodent-borne pathogens in host animals in Xiamen from 2021 to 2024,so as to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of rodent-borne diseases.Methods Basic information on reported cases of common rodent-borne diseases in Xiamen from 2021 to 2024 was collected from the China Disease Control and Prevention Information System,and their epidemiological characteristics were analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods.Rodents were captured from 2021 to 2024,and nucleic acids were extracted from their liver,spleen,kidney,and lung tissues.TaqMan probe-based real-time PCR/RT-PCR was used to detect Orientia tsutsugamushi,Dabie bandavirus,pathogenic Leptospira,and Hantavirus.Results From 2021 to 2024,a total of 469 cases of three common rodent-borne diseases(scrub typhus,hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome,and leptospirosis)were reported in Xiamen,with annual average incidence rates of 2.15/100 000,0.05/100 000,and 0.02/100 000,respectively.A total of 851 rodents were captured during this period.Pathogen test showed that the positive rates of Hantavirus and Leptospira were 4.35%and 21.74%,respectively.Conclusion In Xiamen,leptospirosis and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome occur sporadically,while scrub typhus exhibits a relatively high incidence.Prevention and control of scrub typhus should be strengthened.Pathogen surveillance revealed a predominance of Leptospira positive.It is recommended to expand rodent surveillance coverage and strengthen surveillance of rodent-borne pathogens.