Analysis of epidemiological characteristics of hand，foot，and mouth disease in a county of Jinhua City，Zhejiang Province，2008‒2020

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of hand，foot，and mouth disease （HFMD） in Pujiang County from 2008 through 2020， so as to provide scientific evidence for prevention and control measures.MethodsDescriptive epidemiological analysis was used to analyze HFMD cases retrieved in the Chinese Information System for Disease Control and Prevention in Pujiang County during 2008‒2020.ResultsFrom 2008 through 2020， a total of 9 393 cases were documented in Pujiang County， with an annual incidence of 182.3 per 100 000， showing a trend of alternating high-incidence and low-incidence years. The seasonal distribution was bimodal， and the incidence peaked in May-July and November-December. The incidence of HFMD in urban areas was significantly higher than that in rural areas， and the incidence was positively correlated with population density. Majority of cases （94.9%） were children under 5 years old， of which boys had higher incidence than girls. The number of documented cases was the highest among preschool children living in families and kindergartens， accounting for 97.3%. Totally， 558 cases were laboratory confirmed in Pujiang County in 2008-2020， of which severe cases were all caused by EV71 infection.ConclusionEnterovirus serotypes in HFMD have continually changed from 2008 through 2020 in Pujiang County. However， severe HFMD remains principally attributable to EV71 infection， suggesting that it is necessary to strengthen the surveillance on the etiology of HFMD. In addition， it warrants further promotion of EV71 vaccination.

Keywords

• hand，foot，and mouth disease
• epidemiological characteristics
• etiology
• ev71
• monitoring