Vesicular eruptions in A) hand, B) foot, and C) mouth of a 6.5-year-old boy from Turku, Finland, with coxsackievirus (CV) A6 infection. Credit - CDC EID Journal
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HFMD (Hand Foot & Mouth Disease) is a very common viral infection, that usually peaks in late summer or early fall, and is mainly seen among children under the age of 10 (although adults may be vulnerable as well).
It is caused by a number of enteroviruses, but the most common causes are the Coxsackie A16 virus, and the Enterovirus-71 (EV-71). In the past few years, outbreaks due to the Coxsackie A6 virus has been showing up as well (see MMWR: Coxsackievirus A6 Notes From The Field).
While HFMD caused by the Coxsackie A16 virus and is usually mild, in much of Asia the EV71 virus – which can produce far more serious illness – is a bigger contributor to the incidence of HFMD.
Today a report from WPRO (Western Pacific Region Office) of the World Health Organization, on the incidence of HFMD during the first half of 2012 in selected Asian Countries, and with comparisons to past years.
As you’ll see, while the numbers are down over last year in Japan and Korea, they are roughly doubled this year in China, Hong Kong, and Macao and triple the previously year’s total in Singapore.
A few excerpts, but follow the link to read the whole report:
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD)
Situation Updates (13 July 2012)
Regional HFMD activity is variable. Japan has been seeing an increase in number of cases, while activity appears to have peaked in China and Macao (China) and Singapore and Viet Nam continue to see a decline.
China: Overall level has decreased from May to June. 1 271 535 cases with 356 deaths reported up to end of June in 2012.
Hong Kong (China): Overall level is stable. 259 hospitalized HFMD inpatients reported by Hospital Authority up to 30 June in 2012. Based on sentinel surveillance system among general out-patient clinics, 0.1 cases per 1 000 consultations and among general practitioners, 3.2 cases per 1 000 consultations for week ending 30 June 2012.
Macao (China) While levels remain high, overall activity has been declining for the last 2 weeks. 1 074 cases reported up to 30 Jun in 2012.
The entire report may be downloaded as a PDF file HERE. For more information, you’ll find the CDC maintains an extensive HFMD webpage, with a variety of resources.
