Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Pathogen: Enterovirus 71 or Coxsackie viruses

Category of Pathogen: virus

Name of the disease caused by the pathogen: Hand Foot and Mouth Disease

Symptoms of infection: Fever, ulcers, blister-like eruptions in the mouth an/or rash. This skin rash may develop over a day or two, with flat or raised red spots. Unlike with many rashes, the spots are often found on the palms and soles. Also, it is common to have the rash on the buttocks.

HMFD symptoms on the foot

Primary Host: Humans

Route of transmission: Direct contact, usually through unwashed hands or salivary glands

Prevalence: Outbreaks of HFMD occur worldwide. Cases occur more often in summer and early autumn, in temperate climates. Occurs mainly in children and infants under ten.

Generation time: About 7-10 days. Symptoms are usually present within 1-3 days and are gone in about 10 days.

Mortality Rate: Disease is typically mild and mortality is rare, however, during one specific outbreak, mortality was 19.3% in China.

Morbidity Rate: Essentially a full recovery rate

Is it preventable? No How? It is not preventable, however, good hygiene can lower risk (washing hands, cleaning surfaces etc.) and avoiding close contact with infected people (kissing, hugging, holding hands, etc)

Handwashing is important for preventing transmission of HFMD

Does the disease trigger long lasting immunity? Yes, but immunity is only to the specific virus that caused the infection.

When was the pathogen first described and is there evidence that it was around much earlier than that? It was first described in 1957. the first HFMD report was done by ROBINSON & RHODES in 1958 . They reported 60 people with associated fever and oral lesions. There was not evidence that it was around earlier.

Lesions on the hand

What is the economic impact of the disease? The economic impact the disease has is the loss of earning due to parents having to take off work to stay home with ill children.

The coolest thing about the disease: In my opinion, are the blisters in the mouth. Since they erupt and are extremely painful, HMFD often affects appetite in the person.