Prevalent trend of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis in Anhui province from 1951 to 2007.

ObjectiveTo determine epidemio logical characteristics of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis(ECM)in Anhui province and to provide information for developing public health intervention.MethodsData about patients with ECM were collected according to the National Disease Surve illance System.ResultsFrom 1951 to 2007,a total of 799 387 ECM cases were reported in Anhui province with an annual incidence rate of 28.90 per 100 000 population.There were 4.337 death cases,and the mortality rate was 1.49 per 100 000 population and the case-fatality rate was 5.17%.Three epidemic outbreaks of ECM occurred during the period and the periodic epidemic occurred every 8-10 years.In the spring 2003,there were outbreaks of ECM caused by sero group C in some local areas and the incidence of ECM in the province increased.ECM cases increased in winter(starting in October or December)with the incidence peak in April to May.ConclusionECM is a public health problem in Anhui province.The incidence of ECM decreased from the early of 1980s.Recently,sero group C replaced sero group A as the most predominant sero group and the incidence of ECM substantially increased and the age distribution of the cases shifted from younger to olde-rage groups.