To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and pathogen spectrum of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Weinan City, Shaanxi Province from January 2016 to December 2019, and to provide basis for the prevention and control of the disease in Weinan.

The data of HFMD cases in Weinan City from January 2016 to December 2019 were collected, and the epidemiological investigation and analysis were carried out by descriptive methods. While throat swab specimens from outpatient and inpatient HFMD clinical diagnosis cases of Weinan Central Hospital and Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2016 to December 2019 were collected. The enterovirus nucleic acid of cases were detected by Fluorescence quantitative PCR.

From January 2016 to December 2019, a total of 25 765 cases with HFMD were collected, among whom, 14 563 were males and 11 202 were females, with a male-to-female ratio as 1.30:1. Most were children in the younger age group, with 24 941 children under 5 years old (96.8%). The population type was mainly scattered children, with 16 670 cases accounting for 64.7%. From January 2016 to December 2019, there were cases reported every month throughout the year. Total of 7 942 cases were reported in 2016, mainly concentrated in May to July and November to December, accounting for 71.6% of the whole year. In 2017, a total of 5 556 cases were reported, concentrated in April to June and October to November, accounting for 83.0% of the whole year. In 2018, a total of 6 185 cases were reported, concentrated in April to July and October to November, accounting for 69.8% of the whole year. In 2019, a total of 6 082 cases were reported, mainly concentrated in May to July and October to November, accounting for 82.2% of the whole year. There were 6 556 laboratory confirmed cases in Weinan City from January 2016 to December 2019, among which 1 675 were in 2016. The main pathogen was enterovirous 71 (EV71), accounting for 60.0% (1 004/1 675); there were 1 656 cases in 2017, the main pathogen was EV71, accounting for 53.3% (882/1 656); there were 1 617 cases in 2018, the main pathogen was other enteroviruses (EVs), accounting for 48.2% (779/1 617); there were 1 608 cases in 2019, the main pathogen was other EVs, accounting for 49.2% (791/1 608). There were 150 severe cases (5.8‰, 150/25 765) and 4 deaths (0.15‰, 4/25 765) in the four years. There was a statistically difference in the distribution of pathogen types among HFMD cases in different years (χ²= 984.786, P < 0.001).

The occurrence of HFMD in Weinan City from January 2016 to December 2019 had significant time, gender, age, population and regional differences. The main pathogens of HFMD were different during the four years, which implies that it is necessary to strengthen the pathogen detection.