Epidemic Characteristics of Human Rabies — China, 2016–2020

INTRODUCTION: The epidemiological characteristics of human rabies in China in 2016–2020 were analyzed in order to provide the scientific basis for the formulation of the prevention and control policy of rabies at next stage. METHODS: The data of China’s National Notifiable Disease Reporting System (NNDRS) from 2016 to 2020 were collected and analyzed by using a descriptive epidemiology method. RESULTS: A total of 2,074 cases of human rabies were reported from 2016–2020 in China, there were year over year decreases in total number of cases. Human rabies appeared throughout the year, among which the highest in incidence happened from August to October, while March and December months were months in which the epidemic was weakest. CONCLUSION: Though decreases were observed for human rabies in China, further steps should be taken to maintain these results. Management should be strengthened and the immunity of dogs should be prioritized to control this situation from the source. In addition, all reported cases should be monitored and reported to achieve the accurate prevention and control.