HCM City sees surge in hand, foot and mouth infections
Hand, foot and mouth disease is reaching its peak season in HCM City, with incidence doubling last month from August, according to the city Preventive Medicine Centre.
Rashes with blisters on hands and feet are symptoms of the hand, foot, and mouth disease. (Photo: VNA)
HCMCity (VNS/VNA) — Hand, foot and mouth disease is reaching its peakseason in HCM City, with incidence doubling last month from August, accordingto the city Preventive Medicine Centre.
Its surveillance system for contagious diseases found there were 6,573 cases lastmonth, with nearly 16 per cent requiring hospitalisation.
At the Children's Hospital No 1, 50 patients were admitted every daycompared to less than 20 in August.
The Children's Hospital No 2 admitted 235 patients in the first half of lastmonth. It has a dedicated ward for the disease.
The centre has warned parents and caregivers to keep their children at home ifthey contract the disease to prevent its spread, especially through schools.
After an epidemic occurred in 2011-12, the HCM City's Department of Health hasbeen regularly carrying out preventive measures against the disease atkindergartens and schools in co-ordination with the Department of Education andTraining.
In August, it strengthened these measures.
According to the World Health Organisation Western Pacific Region (WPRO), thiscommon viral disease is transmitted between children when infected ones touchobjects and surfaces which are then touched by others.
Infants and children under 10 mainly contract the disease, which is caused by agroup of enteroviruses, including coxsackie A16 and enterovirus 71 (EV71), andsymptoms include fever, painful sores in the mouth and rashes with blisters onthe hands, feet and buttocks.
“However, not everyone who is infected has symptoms, and at times mouth soresor skin rash may be the only symptoms,” the WPRO said.
“The disease is usually mild, and nearly all patients recover fully in seven to10 days without medical treatment.
Although complications are uncommon, the disease caused by EV71 can manifestseverely in children and has been associated with meningitis and encephalitis,and sometimes death.”
Health experts said no specific antiviral drugs or vaccines are availableagainst the enteroviruses causing the disease.
Children are at risk of infection often because of poor hygiene practices, theysaid.
Effective preventive measures include frequent hand washing with soap andwater, cleaning contaminated surfaces and soiled items like toys first withsoap and water and then using a dilute solution of chlorine-containing bleachto disinfect them, and avoiding close contact with patients with the disease./.
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The Ministry of Health has asked local authorities and hospitals nationwide to strengthen preventive measures to control the spread of hand-foot-mouth disease.
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Rashes with blisters on hands and feet are symptoms of the hand, foot, and mouth disease. (Photo: VNA) 
