Analysis on the current status of plague epidemics for Rattus flavipectus plague natural foci in Yunnan Province

Objective To analyze the changing tendency of plague epidemics for Rattus flavipectus plague natural foci in Yunnan Province and to provide references for the development of related prevention and control strategy. Methods Data was collected and analyzed on epidemic situation plague since 1982. Results From 1982 to 2005, plague in Yunnan sequentially experienced four stages: re-emergence stage, active stage, peak stage and relatively stable stage. The amount of times of endemic strike inside the plague prevailing foci and the total reported cases were 1 216 and 507, respectively. The total reported cases accounted for 59% of the total cases in the whole country. Plague occurred in 5～7 minority autonomy prefecture (or city) and 14～20 county each year during 1996 - 2002, in 4～5 minority autonomy prefecture (or city) and 7～8 county each year during 2003 -2005. The epidemic areas were located in the west, southwest and southeast parts of Yunnan. Conclusions Data suggested that plague is still a critical public health problem in Yunnan Province, against which countermeasure needs to be strengthened in the main epidemic areas. More scientific researches on plague should be carried out.