The epidemiological trends of 40 national notifiable infectious diseases in China: An analysis of national surveillance data from 2013 to 2022

Abstract

Objective: It aims to provide a preliminary analysis of the epidemiological characteristics and trends of 40 notifiable infectious diseases in the mainland of China over the past ten years, serving as a valuable reference for public health policies and interventions related to infectious diseases.
Methods: Using data from the monthly analysis reports of the National Infectious Disease Surveillance System, we obtained information on reportable infectious diseases in China from 2013 to 2022. The data were analyzed using Excel 2010 software, and a joinpoint regression model was employed to examine trends in incidence and case-fatality ratios during this period.
Results: From 2013 to 2022, a total of 76 874 318 cases of notifiable infectious diseases were reported in the mainland of China, resulting in an average yearly incidence of 551.26/100 000 persons, with an average annual percentage change (AAPC) was 0.23% (95%CI: -3.81 to 4.37). The infectious diseases with the highest yearly incidence include hand, foot and mouth disease, hepatitis B, infectious diarrhea, tuberculosis, and influenza. There were 207 216 deaths with an average annual case-fatality rate of 2.70/1 000, with an AAPC of 5.53% (95%CI: 2.16 to 9.30). The diseases with the highest mortality rates were acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), tuberculosis, rabies, infectious diarrhea, and COVID-19. The incidence of notifiable infectious diseases was predominantly attributed to category C diseases, accounting for 54.50% of total cases, while intestinal infectious diseases were the most prevalent, comprising 40.64% of the total morbidity. The monthly incidence trend of 40 notifiable infectious diseases in China’s mainland exhibited a "W" distribution, whereas the monthly case-fatality ratio trend displayed an "M" distribution.
Conclusions: It is crucial to continuously reinforce the prevention and control of key infectious diseases, including AIDS, tuberculosis, and viral hepatitis, as well as highly prevalent diseases such as hand, foot and mouth disease, influenza, and infectious diarrhea. Additionally, enhancing surveillance and response to emerging infectious diseases is essential to safeguarding public health and safety.

Keywords

Epidemiology / Infectious Diseases / Incidence / Case-fatality rate

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Funding

This study received six fundings: The Fifth Round of Discipline Leader Fostering Program of Shanghai Qingpu District Public Health System (XD2023-29); Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention Program for Young Key Talents (22QNGG28); Three-Year Initiative Plan for Strengthening Public Health System Construction in Shanghai (2023-2025) Project (No. GWVI-11.2-XD33, GWVI-11.1-12); Hainan Province Health Technology Innovation Joint Project (No. WSJK2024MS226); Key Research and Development Program in Hainan Province (No. ZDYF2024SHFZ083); General project of Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Committee (JCYJ20210324135207021).

Data availability statement

The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Authors’ contributions

Zhou HR, Ye KY, Xiao N and Ai L designed the study. Zhou HR, Wang XL, Zhou Z, Wang YF and Hu JF collected the materials. Zhou HR, Wang XL and Wang XM analyzed the data. Zhou HR and Wang XL drafted the initial manuscript. Li GF, Ye KY, Xiao N and Ai L contributed to the critical revision of the article. Zhou HR, Wang XL, Ye KY, Xiao N and Ai L reviewed and edited the content of the whole paper. All authors reviewed subsequent drafts of the manuscript and approved the final version.

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