Abstract
WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC? Current research regarding hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) has primarily concentrated on the economic impacts, drawing from retrospective or sentinel hospital-based data. This approach often overlooks cases that were either not consulted or were misdiagnosed. WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT? This research systematically examined the iceberg phenomenon of HFMD and its economic implications in Beijing. Our findings indicate that each confirmed case represents 9.1 actual infections, imposing financial burdens of 25.58 United States dollars (USD) per unconsulted individual, 265.75 USD per misdiagnosed individual, 366.50 USD per individual with mild cases, and 2355.89 USD per individual with severe cases. The annual economic losses attributed to HFMD in the area range from 7.03 million USD to 13.31 million USD. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE? This study offers insight into the actual prevalence of HFMD in Beijing, as well as conducting an economic burden analysis on a per-case, per-category basis. This could facilitate a cost-effectiveness analysis of prevention and control strategies for HFMD.