Epidemiologic characteristics of scarlet fever in China, 2005-2011

ObjectiveTo explore the epidemiologic characteristics of scarlet fever in China from 2005-2011.MethodsData on reported scarlet fever cases from 2005-2011 were collected through China Information System for Diseases Control and Prevention and analyzed with descriptive method.ResultsTotally 225 538 scarlet fever cases were reported from 2005-2011,with 5 cases of death and a male to female ratio of 1.6 to 1.In 2011,the incidence increased rapidly than in previous year and the highest incidence was observed in north part of Yangzi River,and the incidence increased significantly in southern part of China.The age of the cases was mainly under 15 years and most of the cases were children and teenagers.ConclusionThere were two peaks of incidence for scarlet fever in the spring and winter.The epidemic started in the fall of 2011,which showed an upward,wide distribution and sustained a high incidence.