The influence of climate factors on hand-foot-mouth disease: a five-state study in Malaysia

Abstract

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) has become an important public health problem worldwide due to its tendency to cause outbreaks and human death. The outbreak of HFMD with clinical and fatal complications has been noticed in the Asia Pacific region since the late 1990s. The increasing evidence of climate change effect on HFMD has motivated the need for further investigations. Numerous previous studies conducted in several countries have established a significant association between climate factors and HFMD. However, there are currently only a few studies in Malaysia addressing these issues. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the link between climate factors and the occurrences of HFMD in five states representing each region of Malaysia by using a generalized linear model approach. The weekly HFMD cases and four climate variables, including temperature, humidity, rainfall, and wind speed, were examined. The findings indicate that climate variables significantly influence HFMD in Malaysia; however, it varies between states as different states experience different climates. Additionally, the results revealed that humidity and temperature were the primary climate factors affecting the incidence of HFMD in Malaysia. This study could guide policymakers, health agencies, and local communities in determining the most effective prevention and control strategies.