Objective To investigate the epidemic trend of brucellosis in China, including the characteristics of regional and spatial distribution, and provide a scientific basis for the early prevention of brucellosis.

Methods A database of disease from 1950 to 2015 was constructed using Excel 2010 to draw the trend chart of brucellosis incidence, mortality and monthly average cases for analyzing the trend.The spatial autocorrelation analysis of brucellosis incidence from 2000 to 2015 was performed using the Arcgis10.2 software spatial statistical tool.

Results In the 60 years from 1950 to 2009, a total of 927 987 cases and 547 deaths of brucellosis were reported in China, with an average annual incidence of 0.201 2(1/100 000) and mortality of 0.000 3(1/100 000).The incidence rates of brucellosis in Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Shanxi and Xinjiang were higher.The global spatial distribution of brucellosis incidence in China from 2008 to 2013 and from 2014 to 2015 were discrete mode(Moran′s I < 0, P < 0.05) and random mode(P>0.05), respectively.The high-altitude spatial association pattern in Shanxi, Xinjiang and Ningxia were found, while the high-altitude spatial association pattern mostly in Inner Mongolia and Shanxi were identified.

Conclusions The prevalence of brucellosis in China shows a negative spatial correlation, with high-altitude spatial correlation pattern mostly in Inner Mongolia, and high-altitude spatial correlation pattern mostly in Shanxi, Xinjiang and Ningxia.The monitoring and prevention of brucellosis in these provinces and autonomous regions should be strengthened.