Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease

手足口病

Evidence-backed informationEN 5/7 applicable sections · ZH 5/7 applicable sectionsUpdated Sep 3, 2026

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common enteroviral infection that predominantly affects young children, especially those under ten years of age, and tends to occur in outbreaks during warm seasons in regions with varying hygiene conditions ^[1]. The illness is usually mild and self-limiting, with a characteristic vesicular rash on the hands, feet, and mouth accompanied by fever and malaise ^[1]. Although outbreaks and household transmission are frequent, most affected individuals recover within a week to ten days without specific antiviral therapy ^[1].

Read the full clinical and epidemiological profile6

Definition

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common viral infection caused by a group of enteroviruses, with coxsackievirus A16 being the most frequent etiologic agent and enterovirus 71 the second most common ^[1].

Clinical features

The illness typically begins with fever and a general feeling of being unwell, followed one to two days later by flat discolored spots or bumps that may blister on the hands, feet, and mouth, and occasionally the buttocks and groin ^[1]. Signs and symptoms normally appear 3–6 days after exposure to the virus, and the rash generally resolves on its own in about a week, with most cases requiring no specific treatment ^[1].

Epidemiology

Hand, foot, and mouth disease occurs in all areas of the world and most commonly affects children under the age of ten, with the highest frequency in those under five years of age, though adults can also be affected ^[1]. Outbreaks tend to occur during the spring, summer, and autumn seasons, a pattern attributed to heat and humidity facilitating spread, and the disease appears more common in rural than urban areas, although socioeconomic and hygienic conditions are likely modifying factors ^[1]. Poor hygiene is a recognized risk factor for transmission ^[1].

Transmission

The viruses that cause hand, foot, and mouth disease are spread through close personal contact, respiratory droplets from coughing, fecal–oral transmission, and contact with contaminated objects, with nasopharyngeal secretions, blister fluid, and stool all serving as potential sources of infection ^[1]. Childcare settings are the most common places for transmission because of toilet training and diaper changes, and infected individuals may remain contagious for days to weeks after symptoms have resolved ^[1]. Some people may carry and pass on the virus despite having no symptoms, and no animals are involved in transmission ^[1].

Prevention

Prevention centers on reducing exposure through good hygiene, since the disease spreads via close contact, respiratory secretions, fecal–oral routes, and contaminated objects ^[1]. Particular attention to hygiene is warranted in childcare settings, where toilet training and diaper changes facilitate transmission, and infected persons may remain contagious for days to weeks after symptoms resolve, making sustained precautions important ^[1].

References

1Wikipedia contributors. Hand, foot, and mouth disease - Wikipedia [Internet]. Wikipedia. cited 2 Sept 2026.Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand%2C_foot%2C_and_mouth_disease

Coding Register

ICD-10: B08.4
ICD-11: KA05.40

Key Statistics

Total cases: 31.9M
Total deaths: 3K
Peak month: 2014-05
Coverage: 2 reporting countries · 2010-01-01 → 2026-08-30

Coverage

Reporting countries and regions

2 locations

Trends by reporting country

Monthly patterns over time

Rows13,466

Updated2026-09-01

Coverage—

Partitions5

Source2 series · 6,307 observations

Official sourcesAuthority, cadence, notes66

MONTHLYweb

Monthly notifiable infectious disease reports published by China CDC.

MONTHLYweb

Official China public health bulletin and query portal.

MONTHLYweb

Biomedical literature discovery feed used as supplementary context.