[Using exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) on the regional distribution of human brucellosis in six provinces of...

Based on data related to human brucellosis which was collected from the national notifiable infectious disease reporting system in the 6 provinces (Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Heilongjiang, Shaanxi, Jilin and Liaoning) of north China from 2004 to 2007, at the county scale. Data would include age and gender standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) while ESDA was including histograms, box plots and box maps, global and local Moran's I statistics, etc. The global Moran's I values from 2004 to 2007 were 0.2581, 0.4574, 0.4457, 0.4841, respectively and all with statistically significant differences. Most of local Moran's I values were significant positive statistically. High-high counties were mainly in the northeast, most of which were pastoral areas, but the farming-pastoral areas and agricultural areas/town had an increasing trend over time. Low-low counties were mainly in the western and southern areas and most of which were agricultural areas/towns. Low-high counties appeared to be rare, mainly around the counties with high incidence, mainly belonged to agricultural areas/towns. The incidence rates of brucellosis in the six provinces of north China had a trend of increase from 2004 to 2007, namely spreading from east to west, from south to north, and from pastoral areas to farming-pastoral areas and agricultural areas/towns. ESDA could be used to develop effective measures for prevention and control of brucellosis.