Prevalence and serological surveillance of brucellosis among cattle and sheep farmers in Tianjin municipality,2001-2014

Objective To analyze epidemiological characteristics of brucellosis in Tianjin municipality(Tianjin)and to provide evidences for control and prevention of the disease.Methods Data on reported cases and serological surveillance of brucellosis in Tianjin from 2001 through 2014 were collected and analyzed.Results During the period,totally 691 brucellosis cases were reported,with an average annual incidence of 0.45/100000,and no death case was reported.A significant rising trend in brucellosis incidence during the ten year period was observed (χ²_trend=574.43,P<0.001),with an average annual growth rate of 107.17% and the yearly incidence rates of 0.01/100000,0.03/100000,0.13/100000,0.05/100000,0.11/100000,0.03/100000,0.06/100000,0.13/100000,0.20/100000,0.46/100000,0.75/100000,0.82/100000,1.17/100000,and 1.23/100000,respectively.The top 5 areas with more reported brucellosis cases were Jinghai county(146),Baodi district(99),Ninghe county(89),Beichen district(68),and Wuqing district(64)and 67.44% of the total cases were reported in the 5 rural areas.Of all reported cases,77.71% were male and 22.29% were female;64.40% were cattle and sheep farmers;and 61.51% were at the ages of 40-59 years.Totally 7264 blood samples were collected from cattle and sheep farmers during the period and 255 samples were positive for Brucella antibody,with an average positive rate of 3.51%;of the positive cases,9.02% (23) had symptoms of brucellosis.Conclusion The incidence of brucellosis increased in Tianjin and more effective control measures should be taken,especially among populations at high risk of the disease.