Epidemiological investigation on an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease

Objective To determine the epidemiologic characteristics and influential factors of the outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease in Huangsha'gang kindergarten in Sheyang county, Jiangsu province.Methods A prevalence survey was performed in conjunction with individual study based on the complete collection of onset cases.Serological and etiological tests were made in accordance with the guide for prevention and control of hand, foot and mouth disease (2008) published by the Ministry of Health in China.Results A total of 25 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease occurred in Huangsha'gang with the attack rate of 6.28%.Coxsackievirus A16 (CoxA16) and enterovirus were isolated from the throat swabs of affected children.Conclusion According to the results of epidemiological investigation, the clinical manifestations and laboratory test, coxsackievirus A16 (CoxA16) and enterovirus were the cause of this epidemic outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease.