Epidemiology of hand foot and mouth disease in Guangzhou, 2008-2013

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Guangzhou city and provide evidence for HFMD prevention and control. Methods The surveillance data of HFMD in Guangzhou from 2008 to 2013 were analyzed with Excel 2003, SPSS 13.0 and ArcGIS10.0. Results A total of 229 105 HFMD cases were reported during this period, including 124 severe cases and 12 deaths, ranking first in reported case numbers of notifiable communicable diseases in Guangzhou. Two incidence peaks of HFMD occurred every year. Summer and autumn were seasons with high incidence. More cases occurred in suburb than in urban area and outer suburb. Most cases were under 5 years old, and more cases occurred in males than in females. The severe cases and all the deaths were caused by EV71. Conclusion HFMD occurred widely in Guangzhou city, and it is necessary to strengthen the prevention and control of HFMD in child care settings and in children in floating population community.