[Epidemiological and pathogenic characteristics of mumps in Fujian province, 2005-2017]

D Li1, Z F Chen, X H Yang

  • 1Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Fujian Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Fuzhou 350001, China.

Insights

Mumps incidence in Fujian decreased annually following a monitoring program. Prevention efforts should target school-aged children, as the G genotype mumps virus circulates with genetic mutations.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Virology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Mumps remains a public health concern globally.
  • Understanding regional epidemiological and etiological characteristics is crucial for effective control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the epidemiological and etiological features of mumps in Fujian province between 2005 and 2017.
  • To inform targeted prevention and control strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of reported mumps cases from the National Notifiable Disease Information Management System (2005-2017).
  • Active surveillance for vaccination status.
  • Laboratory analysis including cell culture, genotyping, and sequence analysis of mumps virus (MuV).

Main Results:

  • A total of 83,959 mumps cases were reported, with an average annual incidence of 17.6 per 100,000.
  • Incidence decreased after 2007, particularly after implementing a monitoring program.
  • Mumps predominantly affected students and children aged 5-9 years, with two seasonal peaks (April-July and October-January).
  • The G genotype of mumps virus was identified, showing mutations in the SH gene with reduced homology to the vaccine strain.

Conclusions:

  • Mumps incidence in Fujian has shown an annual decrease.
  • Prevention strategies should prioritize primary and secondary school students.
  • Continued epidemiological and etiological surveillance is essential, focusing on circulating G genotype mumps virus strains and their genetic variations.

Related Concept Videos

Introduction to Epidemiology01:26

Introduction to Epidemiology

Epidemiology, known as the cornerstone of public health, involves studying the distribution and determinants of health-related events in defined populations and applying these insights to control health issues. This is essential for understanding how diseases spread, identifying populations at greater risk, and implementing measures to control or prevent outbreaks. Epidemiology addresses not only infectious diseases but also non-communicable conditions like cancer and cardiovascular disease,...
1.8K
Causality in Epidemiology01:21

Causality in Epidemiology

Causality or causation is a fundamental concept in epidemiology, vital for understanding the relationships between various factors and health outcomes. Despite its importance, there's no single, universally accepted definition of causality within the discipline. Drawing from a systematic review, causality in epidemiology encompasses several definitions, including production, necessary and sufficient, sufficient-component, counterfactual, and probabilistic models. Each has its strengths and...
1.6K
Characteristics of Life01:23

Characteristics of Life

Biology is a natural science that studies life and living organisms, including their structure, function, development, interactions, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. The field's scope is extensive and divided into several specialized disciplines, such as anatomy, physiology, ethology, genetics, and many more. All living things share a few key traits, including cellular organization, heritable genetic material and the ability to adapt/evolve, metabolism to regulate energy needs, the...
261.1K
Study Designs in Epidemiology01:20

Study Designs in Epidemiology

Epidemiological study designs are fundamental tools for investigating the distribution, determinants, and control of health conditions in populations. They help researchers understand the relationships between exposures and outcomes, and they broadly fall into two categories: "observational" and "experimental" studies.
Observational studies are those where the researcher does not intervene but rather observes natural variations. They include cross-sectional, cohort, and...
978
Confounding in Epidemiological Studies01:27

Confounding in Epidemiological Studies

Confounding in statistical epidemiology represents a pivotal challenge, referring to the distortion in the perceived relationship between an exposure and an outcome due to the presence of a third variable, known as a confounder. This variable is associated with both the exposure and the outcome but is not a direct link in their causal chain. Its presence can lead to erroneous interpretations of the exposure's effect, either exaggerating or underestimating the true association. This...
806
Bias in Epidemiological Studies01:29

Bias in Epidemiological Studies

Biases can arise at various stages of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation. Recognizing and addressing these biases is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of epidemiological findings.Broadly speaking, biases in epidemiology fall into three main categories: selection bias, information bias, and confounding. A more detailed description of possible biases is:  
1.4K