To analyse the epidemiological characteristics and spatial-temporal distribution features of viral hepatitis in China from 2009 to 2019, explore the dynamic distribution of its spatial-temporal aggregation, and provide scientific basis for optimizing the prevention and control strategies of viral hepatitis.

Case data on viral hepatitis from 2009 to 2019 were extracted from the Public Health Data Centre, and spatiotemporal epidemiological analysis of surveillance data on viral hepatitis in China from 2009 to 2019 was performed using descriptive epidemiology and spatial autocorrelation analysis methods.

From 2009 to 2019, a cumulative total of 13 915 842 cases of viral hepatitis were reported nationwide, with an average annual incidence rate of 93.08/10⁵, showing an overall decreasing trend. Spring (March—May) was the peak of the incidence of hepatitis C and hepatitis B. The incidence curve of hepatitis E over the years showed a single-peak pattern, and the incidence of hepatitis A had no obvious seasonal pattern. The high incidence of hepatitis C, hepatitis B and hepatitis E was concentrated in the age group of 30-70 years old, and the high incidence of hepatitis A changed from the age group of 2-10 years old to the age group of 65 years old and above. Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), Qinghai Province and Gansu Province in the western region were the high prevalence areas of hepatitis C, B and A, while the high prevalence areas of hepatitis E were mainly concentrated in the eastern region. The results of global spatial autocorrelation showed that the incidence of hepatitis C (except for 2009 and 2019) and hepatitis A showed a positive spatial correlation (Moran I value of 0.13-0.66, P<0.05), and the incidence of hepatitis B and hepatitis E mainly showed a random distribution (Moran I value of 0.01-0.31, P>0.05).

From 2009 to 2019, viral hepatitis incidence in China has obvious spatial and temporal aggregation. In the future, different provinces should tailor their interventions to the spatio-temporal epidemiological characteristics of viral hepatitis and develop scientific prevention and control measures.