Severe HFMD cases drop sharply as prevention efforts continue

The proportion of severe hand-foot-and-mouth disease cases among all infections has dropped significantly in recent years, Wang Huaqing, chief immunization planning expert at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said on Thursday.

Although the infectious disease — most common among children aged six months to five years — has spread widely in recent years, the share of serious cases in 2024 was down 97 percent from the average recorded between 2009 and 2019, Wang said.

The disease typically peaks from May to July, with a smaller surge likely between October and November, he said.

Infants aged one and two are most vulnerable, and common symptoms include fever, rash, and painful sores on the hands, feet, mouth, limbs, and buttocks, Wang said. The virus spreads through close contact, respiratory droplets, and the stools of infected patients.

To reduce the risk of infection, Wang advised maintaining good hand hygiene and indoor ventilation, limiting gatherings among children during peak periods, and getting vaccinated promptly.