Introduction: Major outbreaks of infectious diseases caused by enteroviruses (EV) have been reported in recent years. As of 2017, in Mongolia, hand, foot and mouth disease, or HFMD, accounts for 13.7% of all infectious diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the circulation of EV among healthy children, and clinical characteristics of infection. Materials and Methods : The analysis of EV circulation was conducted on Polio Laboratory data of 1172 specimens, collected in 2013-2018, from 9 districts of UB and 21 provinces of Mongolia. Also specimens of 239 patients, who underwent outpatient and inpatient treatment at the NCCD in 2014-2018, were randomly selected and stool samples were collected. Clinical symptoms of patients were analyzed and virus isolation analysis was performed in order to confirm the diagnosis. Results: Children from 1 month of age to 5 years have participated in the study and the average age was 2 years and 5 months. The enterovirus rate among healthy children was 20.1%. Virus circulation rate was highest in 2013 (37.2%), lowest in 2014 (11.8%). The peak of circulation is observed in May and October, while the minimum rate is in July.
Out of selected patients 52.7% (n=126) were diagnosed with HFMD, rash infection occurred in 28.5% (n=68), acute flaccid paralysis-18.8% (n=45). EV was detected in 56.4% (n=135) of the collected stool samples.
Children from 1 month of age to 5 years have participated in the study and the average age was 2 years and 5 months (95% CI:2.5 ±0.1). 49% (n=578) of participants were female, 50.7% (n=594) were male. The enterovirus rate among healthy children were 20.1% (n=236; 95% CI: 20.1 ± 0.55). Virus circulation rate was highest in 2013 (37.2%), lowest in 2014 (11.8%). The peak of circulation is observed in May and October, while the minimum rate is in July. Although the enterovirus isolation rate was relatively high among children under 3, there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05), as well as there was no difference in gender (p>0.05). As for the EV circulation by region, the highest prevalence rate is found in Central region (27.5%), while the lowest is in the Eastern region (12.7%) with no statistical significance by regions (p>0.05). Conclusions Among children, HFMD is a common disease, that caused by EV. Enterovirus infection can often cause fever, flu like symptoms as well as spotted, maculopapular rash. The EV isolation rate of 20.1% indicates that the incidence of enterovirus is characterized by symptoms of influenza-like illness or is asymptomatic.