Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome and Diversity and Distribution of Hantaviruses - China, 2014-2023
Zhangqi Zheng1,2, Zhuowei Li2, Xiaoxia Huang2
1School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang City, Guzhou Province, China.
Introduction:
Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by hantavirus remains a significant threat to human health in China. The incidence of HFRS, distribution, and evolution dynamics of hantavirus are influenced by factors such as ecological environment, climate, and rapid development; therefore, timely evaluation is essential for the prevention and control of HFRS.
Methods:
The spatial, seasonal, temporal distributions, and spatiotemporal analysis of reported HFRS cases in China from 2014 to 2023 were performed using Excel 2019, ArcGIS, and SaTScan software. Rodents were trapped at national surveillance sites for HFRS. Genomic sequences of hantaviruses were obtained from lung tissues and aligned with reference genomic sequences using MAFFT. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using MEGA11.0.
Results:
In the past decade, the incidence rate decreased from 1.01/100,000 to below 0.4/100,000; however, areas with hantavirus transmission were expanding. Diversity and distribution of hantaviruses were documented across 22 provincial-level administrative divisions, with 12 genotypes of Hantaan virus and 9 genotypes of Seoul virus identified circulating in China.
Conclusion:
Significant progress has been made in HFRS control and prevention in China, with declining incidence rates. However, affected areas are expanding, and diverse hantaviruses are widely distributed, creating a risk of incidence rebounding that should not be ignored. More targeted strategies are needed to address potential new and complex challenges that lie ahead.
