Transmission Risks of Mountain-Type Zoonotic Visceral Leishmaniasis - Six Endemic Provincial-Level Administrative Divisions, China, 2015-2020.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC?: Mountain-type zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (MT-ZVL) cases in China have increased significantly between 2015 and 2020. A total of 25 regions had re-emerged yielding 88 MT-ZVL indigenous cases, while the total number of visceral leishmaniasis cases declined.

WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT?: The transmission risk of MT-ZVL showed a trend of patchy dissemination centered on major endemic areas and medium-high risk occurrence areas of Phlebotomus chinensis with discrete foci. Multi-point re-emergence and local outbreaks of MT-ZVL were trending in historically endemic areas.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE?: Risk identification and early warnings of MT-ZVL are essential in formulating precise prevention and control strategies in China. More frequent monitoring, establishing a mechanism of joint prevention and control, and highlighting health education are recommended.