Regional and age difference of human rabies prevalence of the past fourteen years in China

Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiological characteristics about regional and age difference of human rabies in the past fourteen years in China, and provide a reliable epidemiology basis for further control and prevention of human rabies. Methods: The database of China Public Health Science Data Center affiliated Chinese CDC was searched with the key words of rabies or epidemiology or morbidity or mortality from 2004 to 2018 and the corresponding data about human rabies cases was collected referred to regional and age difference for describing the epidemiological characteristics of human rabies. Results: In this study, a total of nearly 26,315 rabies cases (1754 +/- 253) and 25,691 rabies-related deaths (1712 +/- 255) (Mean +/- SE) were reported, and a decreasing trend about the morbidity and mortality of human rabies existed from 0.2039 and 0.2039 (1/100,000) in 2004 to 0.0304 and 0.0295 in 2018. Otherwise, regional difference of human rabies prevalence significantly existed, and juvenile and middle-aged population especially in 50-60 years old were more easily attacked and infected with rabies (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study proved that human rabies still is a major public health problem in China though a decreasing trend about the morbidity and mortality of human rabies existed in the past fourteen years.

Automated summary

This study analyzed data from the past fourteen years and confirmed that human rabies is still a major public health issue in China. While there has been a decreasing trend in morbidity and mortality rates, significant regional and age differences in human rabies prevalence were found.