Epidemiological Characteristics and Trends of Scarlet Fever in Zhejiang Province of China: Population-Based Surveillance during 2004-2022.
Journal
The Canadian journal of infectious diseases & medical microbiology = Journal canadien des maladies infectieuses et de la microbiologie medicale
ISSN: 1712-9532
Titre abrégé: Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol
Pays: Egypt
ID NLM: 101226876
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
2024
2024
Historique:
received:
02
01
2024
revised:
29
05
2024
accepted:
21
06
2024
medline:
22
7
2024
pubmed:
22
7
2024
entrez:
22
7
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Over the past two decades, scarlet fever has resurged in some countries or areas. Nationwide nonpharmaceutical interventions changed the patterns of other infectious diseases, but its effects on the spread of scarlet fever were rarely studied. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in scarlet fever incidence in Zhejiang Province, China, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic periods and to provide references for scarlet fever prevention and control. Scarlet fever surveillance data in Zhejiang, China (2004-2022), were analyzed in three stages. Two-sample A total of 28,652 cases of scarlet fever were reported across Zhejiang Province during the study period, with the lowest average monthly incidences in 2020 (0.111/100,000). The predominant areas affected were the northern and central regions of Zhejiang, and all regions of Zhejiang experienced a decrease in incidence in 2020. The steepest decline in incidence in 2020 was found in children aged 0-4 years (67.3% decrease from 23.8/100,000 to 7.8/100,000). The seasonal pattern changed, with peak occurrences in April to June and November to January during 2004-2019 and 2021 and a peak in January in 2020. The median duration from diagnosis to confirmation was highest before COVID-19 (4 days); however, it decreased to 1 day in 2020-2022, matching the other two medians. In 2020, Zhejiang experienced an unprecedented decrease in scarlet fever, with the lowest incidence in nearly 18 years, but it rebounded in 2021 and 2022. The seasonal epidemiologic characteristics of scarlet fever also changed with the COVID-19 outbreaks. This suggested that nationwide nonpharmaceutical interventions greatly depressed the spread of scarlet fever. With the relaxation of non-pharmaceutical intervention restrictions, scarlet fever may reappear. Government policymakers should prioritize the control of future scarlet fever outbreaks for public health.
Sections du résumé
Background
UNASSIGNED
Over the past two decades, scarlet fever has resurged in some countries or areas. Nationwide nonpharmaceutical interventions changed the patterns of other infectious diseases, but its effects on the spread of scarlet fever were rarely studied. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in scarlet fever incidence in Zhejiang Province, China, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic periods and to provide references for scarlet fever prevention and control.
Methods
UNASSIGNED
Scarlet fever surveillance data in Zhejiang, China (2004-2022), were analyzed in three stages. Two-sample
Results
UNASSIGNED
A total of 28,652 cases of scarlet fever were reported across Zhejiang Province during the study period, with the lowest average monthly incidences in 2020 (0.111/100,000). The predominant areas affected were the northern and central regions of Zhejiang, and all regions of Zhejiang experienced a decrease in incidence in 2020. The steepest decline in incidence in 2020 was found in children aged 0-4 years (67.3% decrease from 23.8/100,000 to 7.8/100,000). The seasonal pattern changed, with peak occurrences in April to June and November to January during 2004-2019 and 2021 and a peak in January in 2020. The median duration from diagnosis to confirmation was highest before COVID-19 (4 days); however, it decreased to 1 day in 2020-2022, matching the other two medians.
Conclusions
UNASSIGNED
In 2020, Zhejiang experienced an unprecedented decrease in scarlet fever, with the lowest incidence in nearly 18 years, but it rebounded in 2021 and 2022. The seasonal epidemiologic characteristics of scarlet fever also changed with the COVID-19 outbreaks. This suggested that nationwide nonpharmaceutical interventions greatly depressed the spread of scarlet fever. With the relaxation of non-pharmaceutical intervention restrictions, scarlet fever may reappear. Government policymakers should prioritize the control of future scarlet fever outbreaks for public health.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39036471
doi: 10.1155/2024/6257499
pmc: PMC11260510
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
6257499Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2024 Zhen Fang et al.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.