What are the transmission routes of hand, foot and mouth disease?

How hand, foot and mouth disease is spread:

Mode of transmission: The disease has various modes of transmission, mainly through close contact between people. The virus can be transmitted indirectly through hands, towels, handkerchiefs, tooth cups, toys, eating utensils, milk utensils, bedding, underwear, etc. contaminated with saliva, herpes fluid, feces, etc.; the virus in the patient's throat secretions and saliva can be transmitted through droplets; if it comes into contact with water sources contaminated by the virus, it can also be infected through water; cross-infection in outpatient clinics and unqualified disinfection of oral instruments are also one of the causes of transmission.

Susceptible population: People are generally susceptible to the enterovirus that causes hand, foot and mouth disease and can gain immunity after infection. Since antibodies after infection with different pathogens lack cross-protection, people can be repeatedly infected and most adults have acquired corresponding antibodies through latent infection. Therefore, patients with hand, foot and mouth disease are mainly preschool children, especially in the age group of ≤3 years old, with the highest incidence rate. According to foreign literature reports, the disease may become prevalent among the population every 2-3 years.

Epidemic pattern: Hand, foot and mouth disease is extremely widespread and has no strict regional distribution. The disease can occur in all seasons, but is more common in summer and autumn and less common in winter. The disease often occurs sporadically after an outbreak. During the epidemic, collective infection is prone to occur in kindergartens and nurseries. This type of disease clustering also occurs in families. Cross-infection in hospital outpatient clinics and lax disinfection of oral instruments can also cause transmission. The disease is highly contagious, has complex transmission routes, high epidemic intensity, and spreads quickly, and can cause a pandemic in a short period of time.