Spatio-temporal clustering of Vibrio parahaemolyticus detection rate among foodborne disease cases in Zhejiang province, 2016 – 2017: a monitoring data analysis

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore spatio-temporal clustering of Vibrio parahaemolyticus detection rate among reported foodborne disease cases in Zhejiang province and to provide evidence to surveillance and prevention of foodborne disease in the region. MethodsThe data on Vibrio parahaemolyticus detection among foodborne disease cases reported by 101 sentinel hospitals in Zhejiang province during 2016 – 2017 were collected from provincial reporting system for foodborne disease monitoring. Descriptive statistics analysis, spatial analysis and spatio-temporal scanning statistics were performed on the data obtained. ResultsAmong 43386 and 33407 specimens from foodborne diarrhoea cases in 2016 and 2017, 1978 and 1346 were positive for Vibrio parahaemolyticus, with the detection rate of 4.56 % and 4.03 %. The Vibrio parahaemolyticus detection rate was the highest in August during a year and the detection rate was higher in adult cases, especially in those aged 26 – 35 years. Obvious temporal and spatial clustering of Vibrio parahaemolyticus detection rate were identified, with spatial clustering in 3 regions in 2016 and another 3 regions in 2017 and temporal clustering during August – October of 2016 and July – October of 2017, respectively． ConclusionAmong reported foodborne disease cases in Zhejiang province, the Vibrio parahaemolyticus detection rate is of uneven age and seasonal distribution and the detection rate is also of obvious spatial and temporal clustering.

Keywords

• vibrio parahaemolyticus
• foodborne disease
• spatio-temporal aggregation
• spatio-temporal scanning statistics