Control measures during the COVID-19 outbreak reduced the transmission of hand, foot, and mouth disease

Control measures during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak may have limited the spread of infectious diseases. This study aimed to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the spread of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in China. A mathematical model was established to fit the reported data of HFMD in six selected cities in mainland China from 2015 to 2020. The absolute difference (AD) and relative difference (RD) between the reported incidence in 2020, and simulated maximum, minimum, or median incidence of HFMD in 2015- 2019 were calculated. The incidence and Reff of HFMD have decreased in six selected cities since the outbreak of COVID-19, and in the second half of 2020, the incidence and Reff of HFMD have rebounded. The results show that the total attack rate (TAR) in 2020 was lower than the maximum, minimum, and median TAR fitted in previous years in six selected cities (except Changsha City). For the maximum, median, minimum fitted TAR, the range of RD (%) is 42 .20-99 .20%, 36 .35-98 .41% 48 .35-96 .23% (except Changsha City) respectively. The preventive and control measures of COVID-19 have significantly contributed to the containment of HFMD transmission.

Automated summary

The control measures implemented during the COVID-19 outbreak in China have had a significant impact on the spread of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). While the incidence and effective reproductive number (Reff) of HFMD decreased initially, there was a rebound in the second half of 2020. The study also showed that the total attack rate (TAR) in 2020 was lower than in previous years, indicating that the preventive measures for COVID-19 have played a key role in containing the transmission of HFMD.