Objective: This study aims to enhance the understanding of the epidemiological characteristics, laboratory diagnostic levels, and changes in pathogenic populations of rabies in China by studying the status of the human rabies epidemic in China from 2015 to 2021, and provides useful information for guiding rabies disease prevention and control strategies.

Methods: We analyzed the incidence, distribution and laboratory testing of human rabies in mainland China using statutory surveillance data from 2015 to 2021; through a literature review, the study summarizes the recent updates of the RABV population in each province based on the previous monitoring.

Results: , A total of 3,032 rabies cases were reported from 2015 to 2021 in China, there were year over year decreases in total number of cases. Most of the cases (75.19%) were distributed in Hunan, Henan, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Yunnan, Jiangsu, Anhui, Guangdong and Sichuan, with 13 counties (districts) reporting over 50 cases in 7 years. The number of reported counties (districts) decreased from 512 in 2015 to 116 in 2021. Farmers accounted most of the cases (73%); 50-75 age group accounted for the highest proportion (54.62%). No changes of epidemic populations were detected in China; The laboratory diagnosis rate of cases increased from 4.74% in 2015 to 22.93% in 2021.

Conclusions: The rabies epidemic situation in China decreased steadily from 2015 to 2021, with a marked contraction in the geographical scope. In the future, it is necessary to continue to carry out large-scale dog immunization and strengthen the surveillance and laboratory diagnosis of rabies.