Temporal-spatial clustering of hand foot and mouth disease cases in Changping district, Beijing, 2008-2012

Objective To understand the epidimiological characteristics of hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Changping district, Beijing during 2008-2012 and provide evidence for HFMD prevention and control. Methods The incidence data of HFMD in Changping during this period were collected from national disease reporting information system. Retrospective spatial-temporal analysis of HFMD incidence by township and month was conducted with software SaTScan 9.0 and software ArcGIS 9.1 respectively. Results A total of 18 227 HFMD cases were reported in Changping during 2008-2012 with an annual incidence of 324.91/lakh. HFMD showed obvious seasonality and the incidence peak was during April-June of a year. The cases in children aged ≥5 years accounted for 92.93% of the total, and most affected children were those outside child care settings. HFMD occurred in all townships in Changping, but mainly in southern townships. Class 1 clustering occurred in 7 townships during May-August in 4 years during study period indicated by spatial-temporal scan statistic analysis (RR=1.83, P>0.001). Conclusion HFMD had obvious seasonality and obvious place distribution in Changping during 2008-2012. The high incidence areas were in southern part of rural-urban fringe zone. Preventive and control strategies for HFMD should be improved in these areas.