Abstract: Objective To understand the etiological characteristics of hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Nanchang in 2012 and provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of HFMD. Methods From January to December 2012, a total of 1028 samples were collected from clinically diagnosed HFMD cases for detection of entericvirus with real time RT-PCR. Results Entericviruses were detected in 632 of 1028 samples (61.48%),and 401 were positive for EV71 (39.0%), 105 were positive for Cox A16 (10.21%); 1 was identified as co-infection with EV71 and Cox A16; 125 were positive for other unknown entericviruses (12.16%). The male to female ratio of laboratory confirmed patients was 1.8:1. HFMD mainly occurred in children aged 5 years (94.36%), especially in boys less than 3 years old. Conclusion The major pathogen causing HFMD was EV71 in Nanchang in 2012,and its proportion increased compared with 2009-2011.