Objective  To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal clustering of hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Dali of Yunnan province between 2016 and 2021, and provide evidence for the prevention and control of HFMD in Dali.

  Methods  The incidence data of HFMD in Dali during this period were collected from infectious disease surveillance system for a descriptive epidemiological analysis, and the spatiotemporal distribution of HFMD in Dali was explored by combining spatial autocorrelation analysis with spatiotemporal scanning.

  Results  A total of 32 476 HFMD cases were reported in Dali cumulatively from 2016 to 2021, with the annual incidence rate of 149.00/100 000. Two incidence peaks were observed in most years with the main peak in July, but only one peak was observed in November 2020 and in January 2021. The male to female ratio of the cases was 1.30∶1; The children aged 0 - 6 years old were mainly affected; The highest proportion was in scatteredly living children; High-incidence areas changed annually. Global spatial autocorrelation analysis showed spatial positive correlation of the incidence rate only in 2017, local spatial correlation showed that a local spatial correlation of HFMD incidence rate between 2016 and 2019, but not between 2020 and 2021. Spatiotemporal scanning 1showed a spatiotemporal clustering of HFMD incidence rate in Dali, the coverage was the largest in 2018, the RR value was 5.34, the LLR value was 1 452.77 (P < 0.001). The clustering mainly occurred during June-July. The clusters with high HFMD incidence rate changed annually between 2016 and 2021, similar to the change in areas with high incidence.

  Conclusion  Spatiotemporal clustering of HFMD cases in Dali mainly occurred in summer and autumn. The incidence was high in children and the high-incidence areas changed annually. The prevention and control of HFMD in high-incidence season and key population should be strengthened in Dali.