Epidemiological characterization of the hand - foot - mouth outbreak in the Junín Region

Abstract

Objective: To determine the epidemiological characteristics of the hand-foot-and-mouth outbreak in the Junín Region Methodology The population consisted of 192 cases reported by public and private health facilities in Junín, 100% of the population. An epidemiological survey was used for data collection, which was previously validated by applying it in a pilot test to verify its applicability and consistency. Cases were located on the basis of clinical histories and case notification to the epidemiology area. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the variables and the study population, and the attack rate was used to demonstrate the hypothesis. Results: the outbreak began in epidemiological week 16 with a sustained increase in cases up to week 22; it occurred more frequently in male children between 1 and 5 years of age. The IPRES that contributed the highest number of cases were Huancayo, Jauja, Chupaca, Tarma and Chanchamayo. The most frequent signs were that the vesicular lesions were classically distributed on the hands, feet and mouth. The time of the year when most cases occurred was in winter. The regional attack rate is 0.05 per hundred children under 14 years of age. Conclusion: Attendance at school and at home together with the age of under five years, constituted risk factors.