Epidemic of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in Dalian city,20112013

ObjectiveTo analyze epidemiological characteristics of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome(SFTS)and to provide a basis for the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies.MethodsWith descriptive epidemiological method,data on 55 SFTS cases reported in Dalian city during the period of 2011—2013 were collected and analyzed.ResultsThe cases were distributed in 7 administrative areas,with obviously different incidences across various areas.The cases occurred from May to October in a year and 67% of the cases were reported from July to August.The male to female ratio of the cases was 1.29:1.The age distribution of the cases was 34 to 89 years,with a mean age of 64.02 years.The majority of the cases were farmers,housework workers,and the unemployed.ConclusionThe SFTS incident has an obvious seasonality,which may be related to exposures to ticks,in Dalian city.