Three die of HFM disease, Health Ministry asks for more preventive measures
VOV.VN - Vietnam has recorded as many as 8,995 cases of hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease since the beginning of the year, including three fatalities recorded in Dak Lak, Kien Giang, and Long An provinces, reported the Ministry of Health (MoH).
Compared to the same period from 2022, the number of infections recorded a decrease of 28%, although the number of deaths increased by two cases.
The ministry also reported the presence of Enterovirus (EV71) in Ho Chi Minh City, which can cause severe illness in some cases. The southern metropolis alone documented a total of 1,670 HFM disease patients during the reviewed period.
To minimise the number of cases and deaths, the MoH requested that localities closely coordinate with the health sector to stamp out the disease, especially in areas with high incidence and risk of outbreaks.
Localities should strive to strengthen education on health care, launch hand-washing campaigns, and ensure sufficient medicine and equipment is provided in the service of emergency and treatment. More staff training should be conducted at all levels, especially for grassroots medical staff.
HFD 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.
The MoH also pointed out that symptoms of HFM disease usually includes fever, mouth sores, and skin rash. The rash is commonly found on the hands and feet, mainly in the form of blisters appearing on the palms, soles, knees, and buttocks.
Parents should be encouraged to take their children to hospital if their child is suffering from a high fever that cannot be reduced by paracetamol, vomiting, convulsions, or increased heart beating.