Epidemic characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease in Jilin province, 2008-2014

Objective To analyze epidemiological characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in Jilin province from 2008 through 2014 and to provide evidences for developing effective prevention and control strategies for the disease.Methods The data on HFMD surveillance in Jilin from 2008 through 2014 were collected from China Disease Prevention and Control Information System and analyzed with descriptive epidemiologic methods.Results A total of 123 994 HFMD cases were reported in the province during the 7-year period,with an average annual incidence rate of 64.59/100 000.There were case reports in every month throughout a year and more cases were reported from June to August in a year.The top three areas with higher average annual incidence were Tonghua municipality,Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture,and Siping municipality.Of the HFMD cases reported,79.60% were children ≤ 5 years old and of the 1 174 severe cases reported,79.39% were children living scattered.Among 6 902 HFMD cases with laboratory test,the positive rate was 42.45% for enterovirus 71 (EV71),31.27% for coxsackievirus A16 (Cox A16),and 26.28% for other enteric viruses.Conclusion HFMD epidemic is at high level in Jilin province and prevention and control measures should be strengthened in prevalent seasons and areas and among small children living scattered.