Epidemiological characteristics of notifiable respiratory infectious diseases in mainland China from 2010 to 2019

Abstract Background: Respiratory infectious diseases (RIDs) pose threatens to people’s health, some of them are serious public health problems. The aim of our study was to explore epidemic situations of all notifiable RIDs and the epidemiological characteristics of six most common RIDs in mainland China.Methods: We first collected the surveillance data of all 12 statutory notifiable RIDs for 31 provinces in mainland China that reported between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2019, and then six most prevalent RIDs were chosen to analyze their spatial, temporal, seasonal and population distribution characteristics. Descriptive analysis was used to present the spatial and population distribution characteristics. Joinpoint regression model was used to explore the temporal trends and seasonal decomposition was used to explore seasonal characteristics.Results: From 2010 to 2019, there were 18 746 367 notifiable cases and 28 816 death cases of RIDs in mainland China. The incidence rate of RIDs increased from 109.85/100 000 in 2010 to 340.94/100 000 in 2019. The mortality of RIDs decreased from 0.24/100 000 in 2010 to 0.23/100 000 in 2019. The six most common RIDs were pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), seasonal influenza, mumps, pertussis, measles and rubella. From 2010 to 2018, the incidence rates showed decreases in PTB and rubella, increases in pertussis and seasonal influenza, and irregular changes in measles and mumps. The mortality showed an increase in PTB from 2015 to 2018 and irregular change in seasonal influenza. PTB was mainly prevalent among people aged 15 years old and over, while the other five common RIDs mostly occurred among people younger than 15 years old. The incidence of the six common RIDs mostly occurred in winter and spring. The incidence rate of PTB was higher in the northwestern and southwestern China. The incidence rates of pertussis, measles and rubella were relatively lower in whole country.Conclusions: PTB, seasonal influenza and mumps remain the public health problems in China, suggesting that continuous government input, more precise and effective interventions, and a digital/intelligent surveillance and warning system are required to improve RIDs prevention and control efforts.