Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) reported 837 new cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) from 9 to 15 March, a 97% increase compared to the average of 424 cases in the four weeks prior. During this week, authorities confirmed two more child fatalities, bringing the total number of child deaths since the beginning of the year to three. In contrast, the city recorded no deaths from the disease during the same period last year.

In addition to local patients, the city's hospitals admitted 138 HFMD cases from other provinces, accounting for over 20% of total admissions, with many cases being severe. Ho Chi Minh City (TP HCM) is enhancing surveillance, early detection of cases, timely outbreak management, and promoting disease prevention in the community, particularly in kindergartens and family childcare groups. All HFMD cases classified as grade 2B or higher are sampled to identify the causative agents.

This week, the health sector received three surveillance samples, increasing the total to 25 samples since the beginning of the year. Six cases tested positive for the Enterovirus 71 (EV71) virus. During the same period, the city recorded 30 school outbreaks and 49 community outbreaks. The EV71 virus is known for its rapid spread and potential to cause severe neurological, respiratory, and circulatory complications.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease typically manifests with blisters around the mouth, inside the cheeks, on the palms, and soles of the feet. Photo: Quynh Tran

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is an acute infectious illness caused by enteroviruses. It can easily become an epidemic, spreading through the digestive tract, contact with contaminated hands, objects, toys, or respiratory droplets during close contact. The disease often begins with fever, mouth ulcers, and blisters on the hands, feet, knees, elbows, or buttocks. Children can be re-infected. If the disease is suspected, children should be examined early.

HFMD can lead to severe complications such as encephalitis, meningitis, and cardiovascular or respiratory issues, potentially resulting in death if not managed promptly. Parents need to monitor children closely, especially during the first 7-10 days. Immediate medical attention is crucial if a child shows severe signs such as startling, limb tremors, frequent vomiting, rapid breathing, lethargy, or a high, persistent fever.

Prevention involves frequent hand washing, cleaning children's toys, and disinfecting homes with soap, Javel solution, or common disinfectants. A vaccine against the EV71 virus, which causes HFMD, was approved for circulation on 17 March, marking the first vaccine for this disease in Vietnam.

Le Phuong