Dengue Fever in Mainland China, 2005–2020: A Descriptive Analysis of Dengue Cases and Aedes Data

Abstract

Dengue fever occurs throughout mainland China, except in the Tibet Autonomous Region. During 2005–2020, there were 12,701 imported cases and 81,653 indigenous cases recorded. The indigenous cases were mainly clustered in Guangdong (74.0%) and Yunnan provinces (13.7%). Indigenous dengue fever is a seasonal illness in mainland China, manifesting predominantly in summer and autumn. Indigenous dengue fever cases tend to peak every 5years and have shown a substantial increase during the period 2005–2020. During the study period, indigenous dengue fever occurred more than ten times in each of the seven counties of Guangdong Province. Indigenous dengue fever has spread from low to high latitudes; that is, from the southwestern, southern, and southeastern areas to the central and northern regions, and from border ports and cities to rural areas. Aedes aegypti has become widespread in Yunnan Province but has diminished in Guangxi, Guangdong, and Hainan provinces in recent years. Aedes albopictus is distributed throughout mainland China, spanning 25 provinces and municipalities. To maintain effective public health prevention and control, it is important to monitor dengue occurrence, provide dengue classification guidance, and ensure sustainable vector management of Aedes.