[A exploration and study of the relationships of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) and the climate]

Zhonghua Shi Yan He Lin Chuang Bing Du Xue Za Zhi. 2011 Jun;25(3):227-9.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Objective: To explore and study the relationships between the popularity of HFMD and the climate in Qinhuangdao city.

Methods: HFMD cases were collected on a ten-day basis in 2009 in Qinhuangdao city. At the same time, the data about Qinhuangdao's ten-day average temperature and average humidity were provided by the Qinhuangdao Meteorological bureau. Then the collected data were analysed using the great data analysis function in the EXCELE software.

Results: The results showed that the disease of HFMD had a positive relationship with seasons. The cases of HFMD began to rise at the last ten days of March and rised dramatically at the middle ten days of April; In July, the cases of HFMD arrived at peak and then decline gradually. The cases of HFMD in October were quite similar to the cases of HFMD in March. Then in November, the cases of HFMD declined rapidly. All these evidences suggested that the peak seasons of HFMD were Spring and Summer.

Conclusion: The situations of HFMD had a significant positive relationship with the conditions of climate, such as high temperature and high humidity.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Climate*
  • Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Humidity
  • Seasons
  • Temperature