Analysis of the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of severe hand-foot-mouth disease in Shijiazhuang City from 2009 to 2021

Abstract

Abstract
This study investigates the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of severe hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) cases reported in Shijiazhuang City from 2009 to 2021. Surveillance data were analyzed to assess temporal trends, demographic distribution, seasonal patterns, and the predominant causative pathogens in severe HFMD cases. Results show that severe HFMD primarily affected children under five years old, with a higher incidence in males. Seasonal peaks were observed mainly during the warmer months. Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) was identified as the leading pathogen responsible for severe cases, followed by Coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16) and other enteroviruses. The findings emphasize the need for continuous monitoring and targeted prevention strategies, including vaccination and public health education, to reduce the burden of severe HFMD in Shijiazhuang.