Vietnam Has 44,000 Cases of Hand- Foot-Mouth Disease, Five Deaths to Date

There are more than 44,000 patients suffering from hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in 62 provinces and cities across Vietnam in the year to date, of whom five had died in the southern region, local media reported. The HFMD outbreak, caused by an infection with the coxsackievirus A16, is a common viral illness among children under the age of three, especially those between six months and 12 months, as they contract the disease easily and the condition deteriorates rapidly. The disease peaks during two periods, from March to May, and from September to November, Dr. Nguyen Van Lam, head of Infectious Hospital of Pediatrics, said, adding that the common signs include fever, reduced appetite, sore throat, and rash on hands, feet and the diaper area. In the Mekong Delta region, nearly 80% of the HFMD infections are among children between one and three years old. However, the outbreak has spread fast in the month because many parents found the symptoms to be similar to other allergies and decided to treat them at home. As there is neither a vaccine nor a drug to treat the disease, the preventive measure is personal hygiene by washing hands with soap and water, and cleaning and disinfecting toys and floors frequently. (vtv.vn Nov 7, Dai Doan Ket Nov 9 p13)