Uptick in HFMD among children in southern provinces

Southern provinces are seeing an increase in the incidence of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) among children due to the recent hot weather and rains.

The Chan Tho City Children’s Hospital has been seeing a spike in the number of patients with the disease, not only from the city but also nearby provinces such as Soc Trang and Vinh Long.

In May, the number of cases was seven times the number in April, according to the hospital. Its infection department admitted 100 patients daily in May.

Dr Huynh Hung Dung, head of the department, said (HFMD) typically affects young children, mostly under the age of five.

“Towards the end of the year, children are more likely to get the disease with complications. Parents need to look after their children carefully to quickly spot the diseases and get them treated early,” Dr Huynh added.

According to Pham Van Quang, head of the intensive care unit at HCM City’s Children’s Hospital, it is currently HFMD season but most cases at his hospital only had mild complications.

Parents need to watch out for severe signs such as high fever of up to 40°C that lasts for more than two days, shivering, cold limbs, and excessive vomiting, and quickly take their kids to a hospital.

According to the Ministry of Health, the current hot and humid weather and increased travelling by people are facilitating the spread of diseases among children.

Cities and provinces have been instructed to focus on disease prevention activities such as exterminating mosquitoes in public places, looking out for disease clusters and raising awareness of disease prevention. — Vietnam News/ANN