Epidemic features of hepatitis A in mainland China during 2004 and 2012

Abstract

Objective To analyze the epidemic features of hepatitis A in mainland China during 2004 and 2012 for effective prevention and control.Methods The incidence of hepatitis A in China during 2004 and 2012 was analyzed by using Excel 2007 software.The disease situation including the incidence trend and the time,regional and population distribution were described.Results During 2004 and 2012,the number of cases and incidence of hepatitis A was substantially decreased year by year,and totally 503 817 cases of hepatitis A incidence were reported,including 202 deaths(0.04％).The yearly incidence fluctuated between 1.78/100 000 and 7.34/100 000 with an average rate of 4.00/100 000.There was no obvious season peak for hepatitis A though fewer cases were reported in winter,with all and fatal cases accounting for 20.78％ and 18.87％,respectively.Hepatitis A cases were mainly happened in the southwest and northwest regions of China,accounting for 30.06％ and 20.31％,respectively.More number of cases was reported in Sichuan,Henan,Yunnan,Xinjiang,Gansu and Guizhou with all cases there accounting for 48.87％.The incidence of hepatitis A were seen in all age groups,and the highest incidence incidence was in children at age of 0-9 years,and the lowest incidence was in age group over 80 years.The number of cases in these two groups accounted for 20.88％ and 0.89％,respectively.Conclusions Mainland China is transferring from high epidemic district to middle or low district of hepatitis A.However,the immune surveillance in western area and younger group should still be stengthened. Key words: Hepatitis A; Epidemiological characteristic; Epidemic factors