Emerging disease surveillance and response

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD)

Situation Updates (16 May 2013)

Regional HFMD activity is starting to increase. The recent trend, following expected seasonal patterns, is showing gradual increase in China, Hong Kong (China), Japan, Republic of Korea and Singapore.

China: Monthly trend has increased from February to April 2013. There were 350 842 cases with 25 deaths reported up to end of April in 2013.

Hong Kong (China): Surveillance for HFMD is conducted through sentinel reporting units. Based on the 3 week moving average, weekly trends in hospitalized cases increased while those for general practitioners and general outpatient clinics remained low. In the week 28 April to 4 May 2013, 15 HFMD inpatients (relative to 15 cases in the same period in 2012) were reported by Hospital Authority, 0.1 cases per 1000 consultations among general out-patient clinics and 0.2 cases per 1000 consultations among general practitioners.

Macao (China) Weekly trend has decreased based on the 3 week moving average. 41 cases were reported from 20 to 26 April 2013 compared with 44 cases in the same period for 2012. Cumulative report for 2013 to the week ending 12 April was 491 cases.

Japan: Surveillance for HFMD is conducted through sentinel reporting units. While the overall level remained low, the weekly trend increased based on the 3 week moving average. 995 cases (0.32 cases per sentinel unit) were reported from 29 April to 5 May 2013. Cumulative report for 2013 week ending 5 May was 11 856 cases (3.78 cases per sentinel unit).

Republic of Korea: Surveillance for HFMD is conducted through sentinel reporting units.Weekly trend continues to increase based on the 3 week moving average; 3.9 cases per 1000 outpatients for the week ending 27 April 2013. Cumulative report for 2013 week ending 27 April was 1.7 cases per 1000 outpatients.

Singapore: The weekly trend increased based on the 3 week moving average; 579 cases were reported between 21 and 27 April 2013 (relative to 1590 for the same period in 2012). Cumulative report for 2013 week ending 27 April was 5511 cases.

Viet Nam:Weekly number of reported cases during 29 April to 5 May 2013 was 1533 as compared to 2882 cases in the same period for 2012. Cumulative report for 2013 to the week ending 5 May was 25 183 cases.