Epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal clustering of hand foot and mouth disease in Hebei, 2016−2019

  Objective  To understand the epidemiological and spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Hebei province from 2016 to 2019, identify the areas with high-incidence of HFMD and provide scientific basis for the development of HFMD prevention and control strategies.

  Methods  The incidence data of HFMD in Hebei from 2016 to 2019 reported through the infectious disease information network direct reporting system were collected for a descriptive analysis. Spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatiotemporal scanning analysis were conducted to understand the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of HFMD in Hebei from 2016 to 2019.

  Results  From 2016 to 2019, a total of 179 705 cases of HFMD were reported in Hebei with an average annual incidence rate of 59.63/100 000, the annual incidence peaked during June−August. The male to female ratio of the cases was 1.50∶1, and the incidence was high in age group 0−5 years, the main affected population was children outside child care settings. The areas with the high incidence were mainly in the central, central south and east parts of Hebei. The results of spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatiotemporal scanning analysis showed that the incidence of HFMD in Hebei had spatiotemporal clustering from May to December, the areas with highincidence were mainly in the central and central-southern Hebei from 2016 to 2018, and in the northern Hebei in 2019.

  Conclusion  The incidence of HFMD in Hebei had obvious season, population and area specific differences, and there was obvious spatiotemporal and clustering in central and central southern Hebei.; The clustering areas varied with year, and the prevention and control of HFMD in low-incidence areas cannot be ignored.