Abstract:

Objective To understand the epidemiologic characteristics and trends of varicella in Beijing Shunyi district, so as to provide scientific evidences for formulating the prevention and control strategies for varicella. Methods The methods of descriptive epidemiology were used to analyze the surveillance data on varicella from 2006 to 2009 in Beijing Shunyi district. Results A total of 3 346 cases of varicella were reported during the period,among them there were 760 cases in 2006, 745 cases in 2007, 948 cases in 2008 and 893 cases in 2009. The incidence rate of varicella was 100.00/100 000 in 2006, 95.88/100 000 in 2007, 122.00/100 000 in 2008 and 114.92/100 000 in 2009. Distribution of varicella cases were mainly in Shunyi's urban district where the population density is high. The male and female ratio of varicella patients was 1.27∶1. Almost all the outbreaks of varicella happened in kindergarten and primary and secondary schools. There was a significant seasonal change that winter and spring are the two seasonal peaks of varicella. Meanwhile, there were 6 sudden epidemics of varicella and 23 outbreaks of it, which accounted for more than 70% of all the outbreaks and sudden epidemics in Shunyi district. Conclusion Varicella vaccine has been incorporated into national immunization program in the premise of the effective varicella vaccine; great importance has been attached to varicella in school and other crowded places; It is important to increase publicity to improve people's awareness of knowledge about varicella.

Key words: varicella, epidemiology, analysis