Hanoi sees fivefold jump in hand-foot-mouth disease cases
VOV.VN - The number of children suffering from hand-foot-mouth (HFM) disease at the start of the year has increased 5.2 times compared to the same period from last year, according to figures from the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE).
The capital documented a total of 968 HFM patients in the first six months of the year, the majority of whom were children aged between one and five.
From June 27 to July 4, the city logged 139 cases, 31 cases higher than the previous week.
According to NIHE, the disease has now spread to all 30 districts and towns of Hanoi, with the surge particularly alarming in Chuong My with 133 cases, Dong Anh with 104 cases, and Me Linh with 91 cases.
NIHE’s statistics reveal that since early this year, a total of 4,522 HFM cases have been recorded throughout the northern region with no fatalities, an annual increase of 228%.
According to details given by local health experts, HFM disease is common among young children and is typically 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 a mild or moderate fever, fatigue, a sore throat, a skin rash developing on palms, feet, knees, and buttocks, as well as sores on the lining of the cheeks, gums, and tongue.
Patients should be hospitalized in the event that they suffer from a high fever which cannot be reduced by paracetamol, vomiting, convulsions, and an increased heart rate.
Furthermore, the infected child should not go to school for at least 10 days as part of efforts to avoid spreading the disease to others.
