Causative agent of hand, foot and mouth disease returns to HCM City
VOV.VN - Enterovirus 71 (EV71), a virus which most commonly causes hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), has once again been detected in Ho Chi Minh City, according to the municipal Department of Health on June 1.
This comes following the southern metropolis documenting 1,670 hand-foot-mouth disease patients since the beginning of the year. The figure stands lower compared to the previous year, although the number of serious patients who are positive for EV71, a type of virus causing easily transmitted infection and severe complications, has increased.
Currently, there are 33 children suffering from HFMD who are being treated at the pediatric hospitals, of which nine cases are in serious condition and four severe cases are confirmed to be infected with EV71.
In order to limit the spread of HFMD, the southern city’s medical sector has moved to implement a number of measures aimed at preventing serious outbreaks and minimising the number of infections and deaths.
Hand-foot-mouth disease is common among young children and is transmitted through the gastrointestinal tract, meaning that it is important for children and their caregivers to practice good personal hygiene.
Symptoms of the disease include mild or moderate fever; fatigue; a sore throat; skin rashes occurring on palms, feet, knees, and buttocks; and sores on the lining of the cheeks, gums, and tongue.
Pre-schools are required to sterilise classrooms and toys regularly and report to local authorities when new cases are found. Parents should be encouraged to take their children to the hospital if their child is suffering from a high fever that cannot be reduced by paracetamol, vomiting, convulsions, or an increased heart rate.