Abstract:

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) has become one of the most common infectious diseases in mainland China, with annual incidence rate up to 100 per 100,000. We analyzed data reported to surveillance systems at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and described the epidemiological features of HFMD by age, seasonal, and geographic distribution from 2011 to 2012. The annual incidence rates of 2011 and 2012 were 120.8 and 161.0 per 100,000, respectively. Most HFMD cases (approximately 90%) were aged within 0-4 years old, while older children and adults were rarely affected. Seasonal variation in incidence was observed, with an incidence peak observed during May and June. The southeastern coastal areas of China display highest incidence rates of HFMD. HFMD is a common infectious disease in China and it has emerged as an important public concern causing extensive transmission in young children.

Key words: children, mainland China, epidemiology, hand, foot, and mouth disease