Epidemiological characteristics of hand foot and mouth disease in Karamay, 2008-2010

Objective To understand the epidemic trend of hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and related factors in Karamay. Methods Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted on the incidence data of HFMD and the epidemiological survey Results in Karamay from 2008 to 2010. Stool samples were collected from selected cases to detect enterovirus RNA by using reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR). Results The average annual incidence of HFMD was 62.42/lakh,66.22/lakh and 104.04/ lakh respectively from 2008 to 2010 (2=40.65, P0.001), the incidence peak was occurred in May, June and November of a year. Most cases were children aged 0-5 years (87.43%) and 59.83% of them were children in child care settings. Up to 85.10% of child care settings were affected. 153 stool samples from HFMD patients were tested. the positive rate of Cox A16 was 27.45% and the positive rate of EV71 was 20.92%. The predominant strain of enterovirus was EV71 during 2008-2009 and Cox A16 in 2010. Conclusion The epidemic of HFMD was serious in Karamay in recent years. The prevention and control of HFMD should be strengthened among the children in child care settings.The prevention and control strategies should be revised according to the epidemic trend in different season and different area.