Epidemiological trends of hepatitis in mainland China: 2004–2019

Abstract Hepatitis, caused by five main viral strains (A, B, C, D, and E), is a major global health issue in animals and humans. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are particularly concerning and can lead to chronic diseases, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death. Recent WHO data indic...

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Main Authors: Si Chen, Zhiqun Lei, Zhixin Lei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:Animal Diseases
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s44149-025-00180-z
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author Si Chen
Zhiqun Lei
Zhixin Lei
author_facet Si Chen
Zhiqun Lei
Zhixin Lei
author_sort Si Chen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Hepatitis, caused by five main viral strains (A, B, C, D, and E), is a major global health issue in animals and humans. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are particularly concerning and can lead to chronic diseases, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death. Recent WHO data indicate a rise in hepatitis-related deaths from 1.1 million (2019) to 1.3 million (2022), predominantly attributed to HBV. China bears a substantial global burden of HBV and HCV due to its large population. Data on hepatitis A, B, C, E, and unclassified hepatitis from 2004–2019 were obtained from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Joinpoint, ArcGIS, and SaTScan were used to analyze trends, spatial‒temporal distributions, and correlations. From 2004–2019, the overall incidence and mortality of viral hepatitis in China declined. Although hepatitis C and E showed an initial increase until 2012 before stabilizing. Hepatitis B remains the most common strain, with peaks in spring, particularly in the southeastern provinces (Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian). Farmers and workers were the most affected groups due to their living and hygiene conditions. Spatial analysis revealed higher concentrations of cases in rapidly urbanizing and mobile regions. Enhanced prevention and control strategies targeting high-risk populations and regions are critical for reducing hepatitis transmission and improving public health in China.
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spelling doaj-art-835dc4790cd64daf9dfb329b4eff99972025-08-20T03:45:51ZengBMCAnimal Diseases2731-04422025-08-015112310.1186/s44149-025-00180-zEpidemiological trends of hepatitis in mainland China: 2004–2019Si Chen0Zhiqun Lei1Zhixin Lei2School of Chemistry, Hubei Key Laboratory of Nanomedicine for Neurodegenerative Disease, Chemical Engineering and Life Science, Wuhan University of TechnologyDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologySchool of Chemistry, Hubei Key Laboratory of Nanomedicine for Neurodegenerative Disease, Chemical Engineering and Life Science, Wuhan University of TechnologyAbstract Hepatitis, caused by five main viral strains (A, B, C, D, and E), is a major global health issue in animals and humans. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are particularly concerning and can lead to chronic diseases, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death. Recent WHO data indicate a rise in hepatitis-related deaths from 1.1 million (2019) to 1.3 million (2022), predominantly attributed to HBV. China bears a substantial global burden of HBV and HCV due to its large population. Data on hepatitis A, B, C, E, and unclassified hepatitis from 2004–2019 were obtained from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Joinpoint, ArcGIS, and SaTScan were used to analyze trends, spatial‒temporal distributions, and correlations. From 2004–2019, the overall incidence and mortality of viral hepatitis in China declined. Although hepatitis C and E showed an initial increase until 2012 before stabilizing. Hepatitis B remains the most common strain, with peaks in spring, particularly in the southeastern provinces (Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian). Farmers and workers were the most affected groups due to their living and hygiene conditions. Spatial analysis revealed higher concentrations of cases in rapidly urbanizing and mobile regions. Enhanced prevention and control strategies targeting high-risk populations and regions are critical for reducing hepatitis transmission and improving public health in China.https://doi.org/10.1186/s44149-025-00180-zChinaHepatitisEpidemiologySpatiotemporalAnalysis
spellingShingle Si Chen
Zhiqun Lei
Zhixin Lei
Epidemiological trends of hepatitis in mainland China: 2004–2019
Animal Diseases
China
Hepatitis
Epidemiology
Spatiotemporal
Analysis
title Epidemiological trends of hepatitis in mainland China: 2004–2019
title_full Epidemiological trends of hepatitis in mainland China: 2004–2019
title_fullStr Epidemiological trends of hepatitis in mainland China: 2004–2019
title_full_unstemmed Epidemiological trends of hepatitis in mainland China: 2004–2019
title_short Epidemiological trends of hepatitis in mainland China: 2004–2019
title_sort epidemiological trends of hepatitis in mainland china 2004 2019
topic China
Hepatitis
Epidemiology
Spatiotemporal
Analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s44149-025-00180-z
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AT zhiqunlei epidemiologicaltrendsofhepatitisinmainlandchina20042019
AT zhixinlei epidemiologicaltrendsofhepatitisinmainlandchina20042019