Hand-foot-mouth disease spreading in Vietnam
(VOV) - Ministry of Health (MoH) officials have reported that hand-foot-mouth disease has killed one and infected 1,551 others throughout the country since the beginning of the year.
In Hanoi alone, for the period January 1-14, there have been 39 reported cases in 13 districts. Thuy Phuong commune, Bac Tu Liem district has reported six cases, the highest of any district in the city.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is mainly a childhood disease, occurring rarely in adults, unless they have weak immune systems. It is characterized by fever, sores in the mouth and a blistery skin rash.
It spreads easily through contact with bodily fluids. To prevent its spread, the MoH warns people to wash their hands, clean toys and timely isolate anyone suspected of being infected.
Unfortunately there is no vaccine and no cure, and there is a high rate of death among children seriously ill with the disease.
The MoH said there has been a 31% dip in the reported cases of 2,255 for the same period last year.