An investigation of a cluster epidemic of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in a county in western Hubei Province,China
Objective To investigate a cluster epidemic of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome(SFTS)in a county in western Hubei Province,China,so as to provide a basis for formulating prevention and control measures for SFTS.Methods Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the epidemic combined with clinical and laboratory tests,and Fisher's exact probability method was applied to compare differences in rates of first-episode cases,with a focus on the risk factors for possible transmission.Results There was 1 index case and 4 subsequent cases,with 2 males and 3 females and ages ranging from 54 to 86 years(median:64 years).The latency period of subsequent cases was 5 to 13 days,with a mean latency period of 7.75 days.Four of the 7 close contacts who swabbed the body of the index case(exposed to the blood)developed the disease,with a significant difference in the prevalence rate between people with different ways of exposure(P=0.003).Conclusions This is the first cluster epidemic of SFTS that is transmissible from human to human in the area.Relevant regulatory authorities should disseminate the knowledge of prevention and control of SFTS among the public and strengthen SFTS diagnosis and treatment training among the medical staff.Thus,disease transmission can be effectively controlled and the case fatality rate can be reduced.
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndromeEpidemiologyHuman-to-human transmission
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