Enterovirus infections in kindergartens, Bangkok, Thailand

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and herpangina are common pediatric illnesses affecting children from birth to five years old. The symptoms range from mild to severe illness with encephalitis leading to death. We have investigated transmission patterns of HFMD and herpangina in kindergartens in metropolitan Bangkok areas, Thailand. Active surveillance was performed. The genetic relatedness among symptomatic and asymptomatic cases, potential transmission of the virus between classes, and the in-host variants of virus RNA shedding in the follow-up specimens are investigated for disease prevention and control.