Hand, foot, and mouth disease in China: patterns of spread and transmissibility.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There were large outbreaks of hand, foot, and mouth disease in both 2008 and 2009 in China.

Methods

Using the national surveillance data since 2 May 2008, we summarized the epidemiologic characteristics of the recent outbreaks. Using a susceptible-infectious-recovered transmission model, we evaluated the transmissibility of the disease and potential risk factors.

Results

Children ages 1.0 to 2.9 years were the most susceptible to hand, foot, and mouth disease (odds ratios [OR] >2.3 as compared with other age-groups). Infant cases had the highest incidences of severe disease (ORs >1.4) and death (ORs >2.4), as well as the longest delay from symptom onset to diagnosis (2.3 days). Boys were more susceptible than girls (OR = 1.56 [95% confidence interval = 1.56

SUBMITTER: Wang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3246273 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature