Table 2 Studies on the relationship between climate changes and HFMD

HanWang et al. Beijing, China 2011 [4]

Spring OR = 1.4–1.6

Other seasons OR ≤1.2

Increased risk of transmission:

 Temperature 21.1–26.6 °C

 High relative humidity

 Low wind speed

 High rainfall

 High population density

 Schools open

Strong relationship between climatic factors and the transmission of HFMD

Hii et al. Umeå, Sweden 2011 [29]

 With each degree Celsius that the maximum temperature rises above 32 °C, the risk of disease incidence increases by 36 %

 Rainfall below 75 mm increases risk by 0.3 %. Above 75 mm, risk fell by 0.5 %

 Temperature differences of more than 7 °C between the minimum and maximum temperature increase the incidence rate by 41 %

The results suggest a strong association between HFMD and climate changes

Park et al. South Korea, 2010 [12]

 Having a non-water closet toilet, changes in water quality, and contact with HFMD patients were associated with risk of HFMD (OR = 3.3, 2.8, 6.9, and 5.0, respectively)

 Visiting a hospital, changes in water quality, presence of a skin wound, eating out, and going shopping were significantly associated with the risk of HFMD (OR = 9.0, 37.0, 11.0, 12.0, 37.0, and 5.0, respectively)

The results suggest that seasonal variations, geographic localization, person to-person contact and contaminated water could be the principal modes of transmission of HFMD