Hanoi reports increase in hand, foot, and mouth cases
VOV.VN - The capital documented an additional of 265 hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) during the initial week of October, double the amount compared to the same period from last month, according to the capital’s Center for Disease Control (HCDC).
This figure also soared by 3.5 times compared to the same period recorded in August.
HCDC added that the disease has now spread across several districts, mainly in Soc Son, Cau Giay, Hoai Duc, Ha Dong, Ba Vi, and Thanh Xuan. The city also detected two further HFM outbreaks in Soc Son and Dong Da districts.
The capital’s CDC’s statistics reveal that since early this year, a total of 2,063 HFM cases have been recorded throughout the city with no fatalities, an annual increase of nearly 1.4 times.
According to information provided by a doctor of Vietnam National Hospital of Pediatrics, the number of children coming to the hospital for examination and treatment for HFMD has increased significantly.
The doctor noted that the epidemic might increase sharply due to the spread of the virus. HFMD is caused by a group of enteroviruses, of these, coxsackie A16 and enterovirus 71 (EV71) are the most common.
An infected child could potentially pass the infection on to other classmates. Currently, there is no vaccine or specific medication against HFMD.
It is therefore necessary to bring a child to the nearest medical facility for check-ups and treatment if they show symptoms for more than two days or have a fever of above 39 degrees Celsius with vomiting and difficulty sleeping, the doctor shared.
As part of efforts to reduce the risk of catching the virus, both children and adults should often wash their hands with soap and water throughout the day, as well as disinfecting touched surfaces such as toys and doorknobs.
