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Incidence and Spatial distribution of Human and Livestock Anthrax in Cao Bang Province, Vietnam (2004–2020)

A line graph and map are shown. The line graph shows the provincial-level incidence of human and livestock anthrax, human anthrax fatalities, and anthrax vaccine coverage in buffalo and cattle. The maps show the location of Cat Bang province in Vietnam, as well as the spatial distribution of anthrax incidence in humans in the top map and cattle in the bottom map.
Temporal and spatial distribution of anthrax in humans and livestock in Cao Bang province, Vietnam, 2004–2020. (A) Cao Bang province in the Northeastern Vietnam. (B) Provincial-level incidence of human anthrax, livestock anthrax, human anthrax fatality (per 10,000) from 2004 to 2020, and anthrax vaccine coverage in buffalo and cattle from 2014 to 2020. Spatial distribution of anthrax using Spatial Bayes Smoothed (SBS) cumulative incidence of anthrax (per 10,000) in humans (C) and livestock (D). The SBS cumulative incidence was constructed in GeoDa version 1.20.

LUONG, BLACKBURN  – Incidence and Spatial distribution of Human and Livestock Anthrax in Cao Bang Province, Vietnam (2004–2020)

Tan Luong, Thi Bach Be, Minh Dat Hoang, Thi Thu Ha Hoang, Quang Thai Pham, Thi Mai Hung Tran, Hoang Dung Ho, Pham Thanh Long, Jason Blackburn

Article first published online: 12 May 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2022.0072

ABSTRACT: Specific knowledge on the distribution of anthrax, a zoonosis caused by Bacillus anthracis, in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, remains limited. In this study, we describe disease incidence and spatial distribution of human and livestock anthrax using spatially smoothed cumulative incidence from 2004 to 2020 in Cao Bang province, Vietnam. We employed the zonal statistics routine a geographic information system (GIS) using QGIS, and spatial rate smoothing using spatial Bayes smoothing in GeoDa. Results showed higher incidence of livestock anthrax compared with human anthrax. We also identified co-occurrence of anthrax in humans and livestock in northwestern districts and the province center. Livestock anthrax vaccine coverage was <6% and not equally distributed among the districts of Cao Bang province. We provide implications for future studies and recommend improving disease surveillance and response through data sharing between human and animal health sectors.

Read the full publication in Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases.