[Spatio-temporal distribution characteristics of snails spread in Suzhou City of Jiangsu Province from 2016 to 2023].

Objective: To investigate the snails spread and its spatio-temporal clustering characteristics in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province from 2016 to 2023, so as to provide insights into precision control of snails in the City.

Methods: snail surveillance data in Suzhou City from 2016 to 2023 were collected, and the areas of snail spread and areas of emerging and re-emerging snail habitats were retrieved. The spatial distribution characteristics and clustering types and locations of environments with snail spread were investigated using global and local spatial auto correlation analyses with the software ArcGIS 10.7, and the clustering and cluster areas of snail spread were identified in Suzhou City using spatio-temporal scans with the software SaTScan 10.0.2.

Results: snail spread covered an area of 677 171 m in Suzhou City from 2016 to 2023, including 376 230 m emerging snail habitats and 300 941 m re-emerging snail habitats. Global spatial autocorrelation analysis showed overall clustering of snail spread in Suzhou City from 2016 to 2023 (Moran's = 0.066, = 0.007), and there were spatial clustering of areas with snail spread in 2019 (Moran's = 0.086, = 0.001) and 2021 (Moran's = 0.045, = 0.003). Local spatial autocorrelation analysis showed clusters of snail spread in Suzhou City from 2016 to 2023, with high-high clusters in Guangfu Township and Dongzhu Street, and the high-high clusters of snail spread were mainly distributed in southwestern Suzhou City. Spatio-temporal scans identified two clusters of areas with snail spread and areas of re-emerging snail habitats in Suzhou City from 2016 to 2023, with large clustering areas found in Guangfu Township, Dongzhu Street, Tong'an Township and Wangting Township [relative risk () = 22.34, log likelihood ratio () = 163 295.32, < 0.001] and small clustering areas in Xukou Township, Mudu Township and Xiangshan Street ( = 2.73, = 921.92, < 0.001).

Conclusions: There was spatial clustering of snail spread in Suzhou City from 2016 to 2023. Improved quality of snail control and intensified management of environments at a high risk of snail spread are recommended in Suzhou City.