Analysis of Epidemiological and Issues Encountered in Case Reports on Echinococcosis - China, 2022

China CDC Wkly. 2024 Feb 9;6(6):100-104. doi: 10.46234/ccdcw2024.022.

Abstract

What is already known about this topic?: Echinococcosis is classified as a Class C infectious disease in China. It is endemic in 370 counties located in the agricultural and pastoral regions of western China.

What is added by this report?: This report provides a comprehensive overview of the cases of echinococcosis reported in China in 2022. Following a thorough evaluation conducted by provincial CDCs, it was identified that 105 new cases were not reported through the National Notifiable Disease Reporting System. Furthermore, there were 1,051 cases that were reported among patients who had been previously diagnosed with echinococcosis.

What are the implications for public health practice?: The reported cases of echinococcosis in non-endemic counties of provincial-level administrative divisions where the disease is endemic need to be given more attention, as there is a potential risk of it spreading within the non-endemic areas. Inadequate reporting practices by clinical medical institutions are hindering the subsequent investigations carried out by CDCs. It is important to implement enhanced health promotion efforts that focus on high-risk populations to address unhealthy lifestyles.

Keywords: echinococcosis; epidemiological characteristics.