Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in the Andaman Islands, India

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To investigate an outbreak of Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) inAndaman Islands during 2013. Methods: Epidemiological, clinical data and samples werecollected from HFMD patients who attended selected hospitals. Data were analyzed andsamples were processed for detection of Enterovirus and further confirmed by sequencing.Serotype-specific molecular typing was also done to identify the etiological agent. Results:Of the 246 suspected patients, most were affected in August 2013 (92/246, 37.4%). Fever(71.2%) associated with typical HFMD rashes (100%) were the most common presentingsymptoms and rashes were mostly distributed on hands (100%), legs (92%), mouth (77%),and buttocks (52.8%). All cases were reported as mild and recovered completely without anycomplications. Enterovirus was detected in 63 cases (50.4%). Conclusion: HFMD was mild,mostly reported in children <60 months of age, and in boys. Coxsackie virus A16 was found tobe the only etiological agent for this specific outbreak.