Epidemiological characteristics of leptospirosis and serological surveillance among reservoir animals and healthy populations in Fujian, China, 2004-2024.

Authors

Guoying Xu, Yufeng Li, Weijun Liu, Tengwei Han, Zhiwei Zeng, Lingqiong Huang, Fangqing He, Yuwei Nian, Shiju Hu, Fen Lin, Shenggen Wu, Fangzhen Xiao

Published in

Frontiers in public health. Volume 14. Pages 1891639. Epub Aug 24, 2026.

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a globally distributed zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira. This study investigated the epidemiological characteristics of leptospirosis in Fujian Province, China, from 2004 to 2024 to provide evidence for risk assessment and prevention strategies.
Data on human leptospirosis cases, reservoir animals, and healthy populations in Fujian Province from 2004 to 2024 were collected through the Infectious Disease Surveillance System of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and 31 surveillance sites. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze temporal, spatial, and population distribution characteristics. Joinpoint regression, spatial autocorrelation, and spatiotemporal scan analyses were performed to identify temporal trends and spatiotemporal clustering. Serological data from rodents and healthy populations were analyzed to assess antibody prevalence and serogroup distribution.
From 2004 to 2024, the incidence of leptospirosis in Fujian Province showed a significant downward trend, with an average annual incidence of 0.08 cases per 100,000 population. A total of 681 cases were reported, mainly between July and October and concentrated in northern and north-central Fujian. Farmers and individuals aged 30-69 years constituted the major affected populations, and the age at onset gradually increased over time. Significant spatial clustering was observed (Moran's I > 0, p < 0.05), with Songxi County identified as a hotspot and southern Fujian as a coldspot. Spatiotemporal analysis further identified Wuping County as the primary spatiotemporal cluster during June 2005 to August 2014. From 2005 to 2024, the average rodent capture rate at surveillance sites was 6.75%, predominantly involving Rattus losea and Rattus tanezumi. The average seroprevalence of Leptospira antibodies was 32.89% in rodents and 17.81% in healthy individuals. Javanica, Autumnalis, and Pomona predominated in rodents, whereas Autumnalis, Grippotyphosa, and Australis predominated in healthy individuals.
Leptospirosis incidence in Fujian Province declined substantially from 2004 to 2024 but remained characterized by marked spatial clustering and seasonal patterns. Rodents remained important reservoir hosts of Leptospira, while serogroup distributions differed between reservoir hosts and humans, indicating complex transmission dynamics. Long-term surveillance provides valuable information for understanding the epidemiology of leptospirosis and supporting prevention and control efforts.

PMID:
42707500
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 08 Sep 2026.

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