Economic burden of hand, foot and mouth disease in Ningbo, Zhejiang

Objective To estimate the economic burden caused by hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Ningbo. Methods Questionnaire survey about the disease history, direct and indirect economic cost of HFMD cases reported in Ningbo in 2011 was conducted. Results A total of 106 mild cases, 58 severe cases and 6 death cases of HFMD were surveyed. The overall economic cost attributable to HFMD was 36.4 million yuan in Ningbo in 2011,in which the direct cost was 21.8 million yuan, indirect cost was 14.5 million yuan. The median of direct economic cost of the mild, severe and death cases was 1581, 7419 and 21 533 yuan respectively. and the median of medical cost was 1431, 6977 and 17 224 yuan respectively. Fifty six (32.9%) patients had medical insurance, by which 38.2% of medical cost was cut down for mild cases and 29.1% was cut down for severe cases. Conclusion The economic burden of HFMD was heavy both for the society and patients. Increasing the medical insurance coverage and reducing the hospitalization of mild patients would lighten the economic burden of HFMD patients, and reducing the incidence of HFMD would lighten the economic burden of HFMD to society.