Epidemiological characteristics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and host animal surveillance in Gaochun District,Nanjing from 2018 to 2023
CHEN Yunhua
WANG Junjun
BAO Changjun
LIU Xin
ZHANG Shougang
Abstract：Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome(HFRS)in humans and the surveillance of host animals in Gaochun District,Nanjing,from 2018 to 2023,so as to provide scientific evidence for the development of effective HFRS prevention and control strategies.Methods In Gaochun District,the incidence patterns and epidemic behavior of HFRS,along with serological findings related to hantavirus antibodies in the local population,were examined using descriptive epidemiological approaches.The species,density,and hantavirus infection of host animals were also analyzed.The Chi-square test was used for the comparison of rates,and the Spearman correlation analysis was performed to assess the correlation analysis.Results From 2018 to 2023,a total of 119 HFRS cases were reported in Gaochun District,with an average annual incidence rate of 4.49 per 100 000 population.The incidence demonstrated a bimodal seasonal distribution,with peaks occurring in the spring-summer and winter-spring periods,predominantly in the former.Cases were primarily concentrated in Dongba Street(7.45 per 100 000 population),Yaxi Street(7.11 per 100 000 population),Gubai Street(6.94 per 100 000 population),and Qiqiao Street(6.86 per 100 000 population).The incidence rates were significantly higher among male(male:5.34 per 100 000 population,female:3.61 per 100 000 population;x2=4.399,P=0.036)and older age groups(top 3 age groups:17.08 per 100 000 population of 80-84 age group,8.55 per 100 000 population of 70-74 age group,and 6.84 per 100 000 population of 55-59 age group).The occupation of cases was mainly farmers(63.86％).Spatiotemporal scan analysis(RR=5.71,LLR=8.88,P=0.033)identified a significant clustering of cases among Dongba Street,Yaxi Street,and Qiqiao Street during the period from March 1 to June 30,2019.Host animals surveillance revealed an average density of 3.93％,with the highest density recorded in 2019(8.27％)and the lowest in 2023(1.50％).Overall,rodent density was higher in spring than in autumn.The hantavirus carriage rate among rodents was 0.64％,with an infection rate of 3.69％.The predominant rodent species in residential and field environments were Mus musculus(60.38％)and Rattus norvegicus(54.55％),respectively,with M.musculus dominating in both spring(45.45％)and autumn(64.52％).Serological surveillance in humans showed an average IgM positivity rate of 0.16％and an IgG positivity rate of 1.50％in Gaochun District,Nanjing,from 2018 to 2023.Conclusion The incidence rate of HFRS in Gaochun District has exhibited a fluctuating upward trend in recent years,characterized by a distinct bimodal seasonal pattern.Individuals of older age and those engaged in agricultural activities are at high risk of infection.Continued surveillance of both human and host animals is essential.Comprehensive prevention and control efforts-including rodent eradication,environmental sanitation,public health education,and promotion of vaccination-should be intensified in high-risk areas.Targeted interventions aimed at high-risk populations are necessary to reduce the incidence and transmission risk of HFRS.
Keywords：hemorrhagic fever with renal syndromesurveillancehost animalsrodentspatiotemporal clustering
Publication Date：2026-02-20
Online Publishing Date：2026-04-02(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：7( 128-134 )