Epidemiological analysis on brucellosis in Jinan City of Shandong Province in 2007

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of brucellosis in Jinan, Shandong Province, and to analyze epidemic trend and its cause. Methods Epidemic data of human brucellosis from 2004 to 2007 in Jinan were collected from National Disease Supervision Information Management System. The rose bengal plate agglutination test(RBPT) and standard tube agglutination test(SAT) were employed to detect brucellosis in the serum samples of high-risk exposure groups involved in livestock transaction, slaughter and raising where brucellosis had been outbreak in the last three years, and epidemiological survey was conducted on the confirmed patients in 2007. Results A total of 32 brucellosis cases occurred in 2004-2007 in Jinan, among which 15 cases in 2007, 3.75 times(15/4) of those in 2004. One hundred and seventy-eight blood samples were collected from high risk population, and positive detective rate was 11.24%(20/178). Most of the patients were found in Zhangqiu and in the months from March to September, accounting for 93.33% (14/15). Farmers accounted for 93.33% (14/15) in all cases. Sixty-six point six seven percent(10/15) of the patients were over 50 years old. Male to female was 2.75: 1(11: 4) in ratio. There was a tendency of family aggregation. Two or three cases occurred in each of 3 families. All cases had a contact history with cattle and sheep, and the diagnosis were confirmed between 17-529 days(median being 70 days), in which 86.67%(13/15) of the cases were confirmed by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Conclusions Brucellosis epidemic of Jinan is in an upward trend. Zhangqiu is the main epidemic region. Spring and summer are the prevailing periods, most of the patients are old male farmers were the majority of the patients. It is believed that the epidemic is primarily due to potential infection sources, incompetent quarantine of imported livestock and poor awareness of self-protection among high-risk occupational groups. Key words: Brucellosis; Epidemiology; Outcome assessment