Epidemiology of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in China

Severe hand, foot, and mouth disease is associated primarily with enterovirus 71 in China; children aged <5 years are at highest risk for death.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) — especially that caused by enterovirus (EV) 71 — has become a problem, particularly in the Asia–Pacific region. To inform intervention strategies (including use of an EV71 vaccine expected to be available soon), investigators characterized the population-wide epidemiology of HFMD in China.

Initially voluntarily reportable, HFMD became statutorily notifiable in May 2008. The researchers extracted clinical, demographic, and epidemiologic data on probable and laboratory-confirmed cases reported to the Chinese CDC from 2008 through 2012. They defined severe cases as those with cardiopulmonary or neurologic complications.

Of 7.2 million probable cases reported during the study period, 3.7% were confirmed by po…

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Epidemiology of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in China

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Reviewing Author