The epidemic characteristic and spatial-temporal clusters of scrub typhus in Guangzhou City, 2010-2014

Objective To explore the epidemic characteristics and spatial-temporal clusters of scrub typhus in Guangzhou. Methods The information about scrub typhus cases from 2010 to 2014 in Guangzhou was collected. The distributions of scrub typhus cases of time, space and population were described. Space-time scan statistics were used to explore clusters. Results Totally 3 838 scrub typhus cases were reported between 2010 and 2014, and the average incidence rate was 6.25 cases per 100 000 people. The incidence rates of males and females were 5.62 cases per 100 000 people and 6.46 cases per 100 000 people respectively. The 60-69 age group showed the highest incidence rate (24.69 cases per 100 000 people). Conghua and Nansha districts (31.05 cases per 100 000 people vs 34.57 cases per 100 000 people) demonstrated higher incidence rate than other districts. The clusters were located on suburbs or rural areas such as Conghua, Panyu and Nansha before 2014, but Yuexiu and Tianhe were newly developed into clusters in 2014. Conclusions The risk of scrub typhus is high in Guangzhou, and effective prevention and control measures should be implemented timely.