Epidemiological Features and Spatial-Temporal Clustering of Visceral Leishmaniasis - China, 2011-2022.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC?: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), transmitted by sandflies, is a zoonotic disease of public health importance in central and western China.

WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT?: A number of VL hotspots were identified in the border areas of Shanxi-Hebei, Shanxi-Shaanxi, Gansu-Sichuan, as well as the southern Xinjiang provincial-level administrative division (PLAD). Mountain zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (MT-ZVL) expanded rapidly in the mountainous regions of Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, Hebei, Beijing, and Gansu PLADs from 2011 to 2022. A notable resurgence of MT-ZVL has occurred, with 671 cases in 66 historically endemic counties.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE?: Actions are recommended to restrain the rapid expansion of MT-ZVL: Firstly, implement One Health approaches, such as timely diagnosis and treatment of patients, promoting insecticide-impregnated dog collars, and restraining the number of dogs in endemic areas. Secondly, surveillance-response systems for sandflies and infective dogs in potential risk areas should be strengthened.