Mekong Delta sees spike in hand, foot and mouth disease
VOV.VN - The number of children being infected with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Mekong Delta provinces, especially Can Tho, has recorded a sharp increase over the last month.
The Can Tho City Children’s Hospital noted that since late April and early May, it has been enduring a spike in terms of patients suffering from the disease, not only from the city, but also from nearby provinces such as Soc Trang and Vinh Long, Hau Giang, and Tra Vinh.
May alone witnessed the number increase by up to seven times from April, according to the hospital. Indeed, its infection department admitted 100 patients every day throughout the month.
According to Dr Huynh Hung Dung, head of the infection department, HFMD typically affects young children, with the majority of patients being under the age of five, with most children being admitted to the hospital either in stage two or three.
Moreover, Ho Chi Minh City also saw an uptick in HFMD among children.
According to Pham Van Quang, head of the intensive care unit at the southern city's Children's Hospital No. 1, the nation is in the midst of the HFMD season, although the majority of cases only have mild complications.
Parents must watch out for severe signs, such as high fever of up to 40 degrees Celsius that could last for more than two days, shivering, cold limbs, and excessive vomiting, as well as quickly taking their children to a nearby hospital if necessary, he went on to say.
According to the Ministry of Health, the control system for communicable diseases has so far confirmed 5,545 HFMD cases since the beginning of the year, including one death in Binh Thuan province.
HFMD is a year-round disease in the nation that is typically transmitted through the gastrointestinal tract and found in almost every city and province. Infections usually peak between September and November every year.
Moving forward, cases are forecast to rise over the coming months due to its transmissible nature, limited hygiene skills in children, and the increase in transportation in the post-pandemic period, with no vaccine being available.