Work

Epidemiological Characteristics and Spatiotemporal Cluster Analysis of Scrub Typhus — China, 2006–2023

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction Scrub typhus, also known as jungle typhus, is a vector-borne disease transmitted to humans through the bite of infected chiggers carrying Orientia tsutsugamushi. In recent years, it has reemerged as a significant public health concern in China, with cases being identified in an increasing number of previously unaffected regions. Methods Data were obtained from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention (CISDCP). We employed Joinpoint 5.1.0 for trend analysis and RStudio 4.4.1 for statistical analyses, including Mann-Whitney U tests (non-parametric), Cochran-Armitage tests, and binary logistic regression. SaTScan 9.1.1 and ArcGIS 10.7 were utilized to identify high-risk spatial clusters. Results Scrub typhus incidence in China increased dramatically from 0.095/100,000 to 2.357/100,000 between 2006 and 2023. The epidemic trend was categorized into 3 distinct phases: a rapid increase period [APC2006-2013=37.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 31.4%, 43.0%], a slow increase period (APC2014-2018=13.4%, 95% CI: 4.6%, 23.0%), and a peak-plateau period (APC2019–2023=−0.2%, 95% CI: 3.2%, 3.0%), with annual cases ranging from 24,870 to 33,229. The proportion of individuals aged ≥45 years demonstrated an increasing trend (AAPC=2.0%). We identified 3 distinct seasonal patterns across China: summer, autumn, and summer-autumn patterns. This study revealed distinct spatiotemporal characteristics of scrub typhus in China, with the primary cluster concentrated in Yunnan Province and geographic expansion from southwestern, southern, and eastern regions toward central and northern China. Conclusions Scrub typhus incidence in China has increased substantially and has reached a peak plateau phase. The disease exhibits distinct spatiotemporal distribution patterns, necessitating targeted control measures in affected regions.

Source: China CDC Weekly

DOI: 10.46234/ccdcw2025.146

Authors: Yao Qin, Shijian Zhou, Qi Wang, Huijie Qin, Junyuan Chen, Sihan Li, Yanping Zhang, Qiulan Chen

Institutions: Chinese Center For Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Sichuan Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Language: English

Topic: Vector-borne infectious diseases

Subfield: Parasitology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4411740416

FWCI: 0.837

Cites: 12

Cited by: 1

Related to: 10