Epidemiological characteristics of handfoot and mouth disease cases andclose contacts in Fenghua, Zhejiang,2013-2014

Objective To understand the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of handfoot and mouthdisease(HFMD) in Fenghua, Zhejiang province, from 2013 to 2014,and provide evidence for the prevention and control of HFMD. Methods During 2013 to 2014,the etiological detection of HFMD was carried out each month by using stool samples collected from 5 HFMD cases and 15 close contacts. The hospitalized HFMD cases were also included in the etiological detection.Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted on the incidence and etiological data of HFMD. Results The average incidence of HFMD during this period was 225.99/100 000 and 365.07/100 000, respectively. The incidence was highest in age group 1 year (13 360.92/100 000). The incidencewas higher in the urban area than in rural area. The positive rate of Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71), Coxsackievirus A16(Cox A16) and other enterovirus was 20.94%,20.42% and 38.74%, respectively. Other enterovirus was predominant in 2013,while EV-A16 and EV-A71 were predominant in 2014. EV-A71 mainly affected older children compared with other enterovirus(Z=-3.70, P=0.00).The etiological positive rate of close contacts of enterovirus positive and negative HFMD were 48.44% and 18.75%, respectively, with significant difference. The positive rates of EV among close contacts of different etiological positive cases of HFMD were 44.96%-48.15%, with no statistical significance. The results of etiological detection of HFMD were consistent with the results of the close contacts (Kappa=0.53). The positive rates of close contacts in age group 1-8 years and 12-66 years were 42.08% and 31.73%,respectively, with no significant difference. Conclusion The incidence of HFMD was high in Fenghua, Multi viruses spread and the predominant pathgen of HFMD was in change. The epidemiological characters of HFMD was affected by epidemiology of different EV. One of the control measures of HFMD is to strengthen the management of close contacts due to the high positive rate of EV in close contact.