Epidemiological characteristics of hand foot and mouth disease cases caused by enterovirus 71 in Guangzhou, 2013–2017

ObjectiveTo understand the epidemiological characteristics of hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases caused by enterovirus 71 (EV71) in Guangzhou from 2013 to 2017.

MethodsThe incidence data of HFMD cases caused by EV71 were collected from 5 sentinel hospitals in Guangzhou, including severe and fatal cases and outbreaks of HFMD, the estimation formula was defined, and χ² test was used for the data comparison.

ResultsFrom 2013 to 2017, severe cases and fatal cases in Guangzhou accounted for 53.85% and 100.00%, respectively, in EV71 caused HFMD cases. The positive rate of EV71 in mild HFMD cases from sentinel hospitals was 12.21%. The highest estimated incidence rate of EV71 infection was in 2014 (134.36/100 000). The annual incidence peak was during April-June. The incidence was higher in age group below 5 years old, especially in children aged 1–3 years. However, severe and fatal cases mostly occurred in infants aged 0–1 year.

ConclusionIn Guangzhou, EV71 was the most important pathogen causing severe and fatal cases of HFMD. Medical institutions should focus on the early identification and treatment of EV71 caused severe cases of HFMD, especially in children aged 1–3 years.