A doctor at Paediatrics Hospital 2 in HCM City examines a child infected with Hand-Foot-Mouth disease (Photo: VNA)HCM
City (VNS/VNA) – The has ordered preventive
medicine units and facilities across the nation to
strengthen hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) prevention in response to the
increase in the number of cases in major cities across the nation.
The ministry’s Department of Preventive Medicine has told provincial
health departments to implement measures, especially those areas at
high risk of an outbreak.
The department has also told local Centres for Disease Control (CDCs)
to provide professional training and guidance on the supervision and treatment
of the disease.
The health sector should work closely with schools to carry out preventive
measures and to ensure at schools, especially at
kindergartens.
Schools must adopt effective preventive measures, including frequent hand
washing with soap and water, and cleaning of contaminated surfaces and
soiled items like toys with soap and water, and a diluted solution of
chlorine-containing bleach to disinfect them.
Health departments in provinces and cities should try to detect cases
early in schools and immediately notify local authorities for early
check-ups and treatment.
It is important that mobile emergency teams be ready to investigate,
verify and handle the outbreak and support lower levels in
controlling the outbreak, and offer emergency care and treatment. It is
also necessary to prevent cross-contamination in hospitals and treatment facilities.
According to reports from local CDCs, since the beginning of the year, the
country has recorded 10,745 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease in 63
provinces and cities, of which 6,662 cases were hospitalised. There were no
deaths.
Compared to the same period last year, the number of cases nationwide decreased
by more than 55 percent, while the number of hospitalised cases decreased
by more than 51 percent.
However, the number of cases has surged in recent weeks in cities and provinces
across the country such as HCM City, Hanoi, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Da Nang, Quang
Ngai, Vinh Phuc, Hai Phong and Bac Ninh.
, a mild, contagious viral infection common in young
children, is characterised by sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and
feet. The disease is most commonly caused by a ,
health experts said.
There is currently no vaccine for the disease or specific treatment.
Frequent hand-washing and avoiding close contact with infected people may
help reduce the risk of infection.
The disease may cause fever, sore throat, feeling of being unwell, loss of
appetite, or painful, red, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums and
inside of the cheeks.
The incubation period is three to six days. A fever is often the first sign of
hand-foot-and-mouth disease, followed by a sore throat and sometimes a poor
appetite and malaise.
One or two days after the fever begins, painful sores may develop in the front
of the mouth or throat. A rash on the hands and feet and possibly on the
buttocks can follow within one or two days.
Sores that develop in the back of the mouth and throat may suggest that the
child is infected with a related viral illness called herpangina.
Other distinguishing features of herpangina include
a sudden high fever, and in some instances, seizure. Sores that develop on the
hands, feet or other parts of the body are rare, according to experts.
Parents should contact a doctor if their children’s signs and symptoms worsen./.
Source: VietnamPlus
