Epidemiological characteristics and temporal-spatial clustering analysis of hand, foot and mouth disease in Nanchang city 2008–2012

AbstractObjective: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Nanchang city during 2008–2012 and to detect potential temporal-spatial clusters. Methods: Data on HFMD in Nanchang City during 2008–2012 were derived from the National Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting System (NNIDRS). We used descriptive methods to describe the epidemiological characteristics of HFMD. Space-time scan statistic, based on the Space-Time Permutation model, was adopted to determine the presence of space-time interaction clusters of HFMD in Nanchang. Results: There were 29 062 HFMD cases reported in Nanchang during 2008–2012. The annual average incidence rate was 118.56 per 100 000 inhabitants. There were two peaks in HFMD occurrence. Children aged 0–5 years accounted for 92.91% of cases. Scattered children (children not in nursery or kindergarten) accounted for 73.72%. There was a male predominance, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.82:1. Three space-time interaction clusters we...