Epidemiologic Characteristics of Domestic Patients with Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome in Taiwan: A 19-Year Retrospective Study

Chi-Jeng Hsieh, Chuan-Wang Li, Chun-An Cheng, Ding-Chung Wu, Wen-Chih Wu, Fu-Huang Lin, Yu-Ching Chou and Chia-Peng Yu
Additional contact information
Chi-Jeng Hsieh: Department of Health Care Administration, Oriental Institute of Technology, New Taipei City 220, Taiwan
Chuan-Wang Li: Department and Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
Chun-An Cheng: Department of Neurology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
Ding-Chung Wu: Department of Medical Records, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
Wen-Chih Wu: School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
Fu-Huang Lin: School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
Yu-Ching Chou: School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
Chia-Peng Yu: Department of Medical Records, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-13

Abstract: Background: Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is an illness caused by hantaviruses. Numerous factors modify the risk of hantavirus transmission. This study explored the epidemiological characteristics, differences, and trends in terms of gender, age, season, and living areas of those diagnosed with domestically acquired HFRS in Taiwan from 2001 to 2019. Methods: We examined publicly available annual summary data on the domestic cases with HFRS from 2001 to 2019; these data were obtained from the web database of Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Results: This study analyzed 21 domestic cases with HFRS from Taiwan’s CDC databases. In this study of the cases of HFRS in Taiwan, a gradual increase in the cases of those aged ≥40 years acquiring the disease was noted, and a distinct pattern of seasonal variation (spring) was observed. Furthermore, more men had domestically acquired HFRS, and living in Taipei metropolitan area (6 cases [28.6%]) and the rural areas (Gao-Ping region, 9 cases [42.9%]) was identified as a potential risk factor. This study represents the first report of confirmed cases of domestically acquired HFRS from surveillance data from Taiwan’s CDC, 2001–2019. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of longitudinal studies covering a wide geographical area, particularly for highly fluctuating pathogens, to understanding the implications of the transmission of zoonotic diseases in human populations. Important data were identified to inform future surveillance and research efforts in Taiwan.

Keywords: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS); hantavirus; longitudinal; surveillance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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