Phylogenetic studies performed on partial sequences of viruses from India suggest that additional genogroups exist.

[9] In addition to being a source of sequence diversity, recombination in RNA viruses appears to be an adaptation for repairing genome damage.

[14] However, Sinovac Biotech Ltd., a pharmaceutical company in China, conducted an experimental trial for an EV71 vaccination, which was completed in March 2013.

Participants were surveilled from day 56 until the end of the 14-month experiment period, in addition to checkups at months five, eight, eleven, and fourteen.

Researchers observed movements resembling breathing in the virus and found that this accompanied the infection process, together with a small molecule picked up from the body's cells and used to switch states.

Most died within 24 hours and had exhibited symptoms including respiratory illnesses, fever, and generalized neurological abnormalities.

[24] On 15 July 2012, it was announced that no further cases had been noted in Cambodia, and that the deaths were a result of a combination of infections with EV 71, dengue fever, and Streptococcus suis.

Genetic analysis revealed 19 cases of EV71 among 147 children who had hand, foot, and mouth disease in Shenzhen during this time.

[28] Until 2008, no large EV71 epidemic had been reported on the Chinese mainland, but sporadic infections were common in the southeast coastal area as well as in inland regions, such as Beijing, Chongqing, and Jinan.

[28] On May 3, 2008, Chinese health authorities reported a major outbreak of EV71 enterovirus in Fuyang City and other localities in Anhui, Zhejiang, and Guangdong provinces.

Genetic analyses of the 5′-untranslated and VP1 regions of EV71 isolates by reverse transcription-PCR and sequencing were performed to understand the diversity of EV71 in these outbreaks of HFMD.

There are two patterns observed in outbreaks of the virus where they may be small with occasional cases resulting in death or they are severe with a high fatality rate.

The total number of cases of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) and herpangina in Taiwan was 129,106.

The outbreaks of Enterovirus 71 in Taiwan and the number of cases and fatalities that resulted became an indication of the significance of the threat of the virus.

[38] In March 1998, under the sentinel surveillance system, it was noticed that there was an increasing number of HFMD cases and herpangina in Taiwan.

[36] Due to the presence of a possible threat of an epidemic a warning was released on May 12 for the virus and preventative measures were advised to the public such as practicing better hygiene and isolating infected children.

[38] The exact reasons behind the outbreaks are hard to and yet to be defined however through the reporting systems developed, detection of the virus is of large significance and gives way for further study and investigation.

[38] Studies for serial serum antibody titers to the Enterovirus 71 in blood samples taken yearly from 81 children born in 1988 was conducted from 1989 to 1994 and 1997 to 1999.