Plague Risk Assessment - China, 2022

What is already known about this topic? China has the largest and most complex natural reservoir of plague in the world. Since the 1980s, our country standardized animal plague surveillance and accumulated a substantial amount of useful epidemiological data. In accordance with the "Criteria for Determining Plague Natural Foci and Plague Epizootics (GB 16883-1997)," Ya Dong, Xizang (Tibet) was identified as a new plague focus in 2021 (Marmota himalayana plague). What is added by this report? Based on plague epidemiology in the past 20 years, we identify high-risk areas in 2022 to provide scientific evidence supporting plague prevention and control policy in China. What are the implications for public health practice? To avoid the spread of plague to humans, we recommend strengthening animal plague monitoring in high-risk and adjacent areas and timely investigation and response to animal plague epidemics. Early detection, early reporting, early diagnosis, early isolation, and early treatment of human plague helps prevent spread and long-distance transmission of plague.