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CCDC Weekly RSS Feed2025 Vol. 7, No. 29
Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) represent a significant category of infectious diseases. Analyzing the epidemiological characteristics of VBDs in China, including their temporal and spatial distributions, provides essential evidence for developing effective prevention and control strategies.
Data for 14 types of VBDs from 2005 to 2024 were obtained from the China National Infectious Disease Surveillance System. These diseases were categorized as mosquito-borne, tick-borne, rodent-borne, and other VBDs. Using the Mann-Kendall trend test, we analyzed demographic characteristics, spatial distribution, temporal trends, and seasonal patterns of notified cases over the 20-year period.
From 2005 to 2024, a total of 1,129,736 VBD cases were reported in China. Scrub typhus (28.17%), malaria (20.8%), hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS, 18.4%), dengue (12.61%), and schistosomiasis (8.42%) collectively accounted for 88.4% of all cases. Over a 20-year period, mosquito-borne and rodent-borne diseases indicated significant declining trends (P<0.05), while tick-borne and other VBDs demonstrated significant increasing trends (P<0.05). Dengue, scrub typhus, and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) expanded geographically, with annual increases of 10.89, 12.37, and 7.07 reporting cities, respectively. Although diseases such as plague, malaria, and schistosomiasis have been effectively controlled, the incidence of scrub typhus, dengue, HFRS, and SFTS has remained high in recent years.
The burden of VBDs in China remains substantial, with an increasing trend observed over the past 5 years. The rising incidence and geographic expansion of scrub typhus, dengue, and SFTS warrant particular attention from public health authorities.
The 2030 global target for eliminating dog-mediated human rabies, jointly proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organizations, presents significant challenges for China. This study analyzes epidemiological trends (2005–2023), forecasts future case numbers, and compares China’s progress with elimination strategies from the United States, Japan, and Brazil to optimize national rabies prevention and control approaches.
Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the spatiotemporal distribution of human rabies cases across China. The seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model was employed to forecast cases for the next two years, with the optimal model selected based on indicators, including the Akaike information criterion.
24,566 human rabies cases were reported in China from 2005 to 2023. Over these 19 years, rabies prevalence shifted from southeastern to northwestern regions. Provincial trends varied significantly: 14 provincial-level administrative divisions, including Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai, achieved zero cases; Shandong, Shanxi, and Chongqing experienced a resurgence; Guangxi, Henan, Hunan, and Anhui maintained high endemic levels; while other regions showed a steady decline. The SARIMA (0,1,2)(2,1,1)12 model forecasts 65 cases by 2025, substantially exceeding international case levels during comparable elimination phases.
To achieve the 2030 rabies elimination goal in China, implementing a comprehensive, large-scale dog vaccination strategy is essential within the remaining timeframe.
Human influenza A/H3N2 imposes a substantial global disease burden. Beyond hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA) also plays a critical role in the antigenic evolution of influenza viruses. However, a comprehensive understanding of NA antigenic evolution remains lacking.
NA inhibition (NAI) data were collected and structural epitopes for A/H3N2 NA were identified. A machine learning model was developed to accurately predict antigenic relationships by integrating four feature groups: epitopes, physicochemical properties, N-glycosylation, and catalytic sites. An antigenic correlation network (ACNet) was constructed and antigenic clusters were identified using the Markov clustering algorithm.
The best random forest model (PREDEC-N2) achieved an accuracy of 0.904 in cross-validation and 0.867 in independent testing. Eight main antigenic clusters were identified on the ACNet. Spatiotemporal analysis revealed the continuous replacement and rapid global spread of new antigenic clusters for human influenza A/H3N2 NA.
This study developed a timely and accurate computational model to map the antigenic landscape of A/H3N2 NA, revealing both its relative antigenic conservation and continuous evolution. These insights provide valuable guidance for improved antigenic surveillance, vaccine recommendations, and prevention and control strategies for human influenza viruses.
In recent years, mpox virus Clade Ib has emerged as a significant global public health threat due to its rapid transmission and potential for severe disease outcomes. This strain was first identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in September 2023 and began spreading to neighboring African countries by July 2024. It was subsequently imported through international travel to 12 non-African countries across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Clade Ib exhibits increased transmissibility, and current data suggest that infections may lead to more severe symptoms, with higher risks of severe illness and mortality, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant individuals, and immunocompromised groups (e.g., people living with HIV/AIDS). Epidemiologically, Clade Ib primarily spreads through sexual contact, close household contact, and healthcare-related exposure. This review aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of mpox virus Clade Ib, including its genetic characteristics, epidemiological patterns, and prevention and control strategies. Additionally, it discusses the strategies and interventions needed to address this emerging threat.