Epidemiological Characterization of Dengue Fever - Yunnan Province, China, 2010-2021.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study is to analyze the epidemiological patterns of dengue fever across different districts and counties in Yunnan Province from 2010 to 2021.

METHODS

In this study, we employed joinpoint regression analysis, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and space-time scan analysis to illustrate the spatio-temporal propagation and demographic influence of dengue fever, using both graphical and tabular presentations to clearly demonstrate the findings.

RESULTS

Yunnan Province reported 14,098 cases of dengue fever during the period from 2010 to 2021. Of these, 11,513 cases were caused by local transmission, 2,566 were imported internationally, and 19 were inter-provincial imports. Seasonal trends emerged, revealing a surge in incidences during the summer and autumn months. The sex ratio of male to female cases was 1:0.88, with a significant majority of 82.00% of cases involving individuals belonging to the age group of 15-60. Commercial service workers constituted the most impacted occupational group, forming 20.96% of total cases. A spatio-temporal scan identified significant clustering of dengue fever cases across space and time, with the most pronounced cluster observed in southern Yunnan, primarily between 2015 and 2019.

CONCLUSIONS

Dengue fever in Yunnan Province manifests as biennial outbreaks, underscoring the necessity for increased surveillance, particularly in counties bordering other regions.