Brucellosis infection increasing in Southwest China

Background Brucellosis is a global zoonotic disease that has been traditionally prevalent in the northern pastoral regions of China. In recent years, with the development of animal husbandry and other contributing factors, the epidemic in southwestern China has shown rapid growth and spread, becoming a major public health concern. Methods This study retrospectively analyzed 188 hospitalized brucellosis cases at Chengdu Public Health Clinical Medical Center from 2017 to 2024 and 1453 registered cases at the Sichuan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention from 2020 to 2024. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS and R software. Results The number of brucellosis cases in Sichuan Province increased from 129 in 2020 to 452 in 2024. Hospitalized cases rose from 5 in 2017 to 61 in 2024, and the number of affected counties expanded from 53 to 110. The peak incidence occurred from February to August. Hospitalized cases were predominantly young and middle-aged males, with a male-to-female ratio of 3:1. Common symptoms included lower back pain and fever. Double and triple antibiotic regimens were the main treatments. Conclusions The incidence of brucellosis in southwestern China has been increasing and spreading in recent years, showing distinct epidemiological characteristics. A targeted prevention and control system is needed.