Hand, foot and mouth disease and dengue cases on the rise

The HCM City Centre for Disease Control said that in the past week, the city has recorded an increase in cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and dengue fever.

The number of children with hand, foot and mouth disease is increasing rapidly.

Fom April 8 to 14, the city recorded 287 cases of children with hand, foot and mouth disease, an increase of 87 per cent compared to the average four weeks ago.

The total number of hand, foot and mouth cases from the beginning of 2024 to the beginning of April was 2,289.

Districts that recorded a high number of cases include Nhà Bè District, District 6 and District 8.

Also, from April 8 to 14, the city recorded 136 cases of dengue fever, an increase of 7 per cent compared to average four weeks ago.

The total number of dengue fever cases from the beginning of 2024 to beginning of April was 2,585.

Districts with a high number of cases per 100,000 people include District 1,

District 7 and Thủ Đức city.

The centre predicts that in the coming time, the number of cases of HFMD and dengue fever in the area will continue to increase. Therefore, people need to take prevention measures as recommended by health authorities.

The city’s health department says hand, foot and mouth disease is an infectious disease of the gastrointestinal tract, which can progress rapidly and threaten life, so people, especially families with children under five years old, should strictly implement disease prevention measures such as frequent hand washing with soap under running water for children and caregivers, and regularly clean surfaces and tools children come into contact with every day.

When detecting signs of illness, children should be taken to the nearest medical facility. Parents have to closely monitor children to detect early signs of serious illness such as high fever, constant crying, rapid pulse and weakness in limbs.