On March 31, the Ministry of Health issued a document requesting medical examination and treatment facilities nationwide to strengthen communication, examination, classification, admission, treatment and control of hand, foot and mouth disease infection, in the context of rapidly increasing cases, especially in the Southern region.
According to the Ministry of Health, in nearly 3 months of 2026, the whole country recorded 25,094 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease, including 4 deaths. The Southern region alone had 18,031 cases, accounting for 71.9% of the total number of cases nationwide.
Notably, the disease mainly appears in children aged 1-5 years old, accounting for 92.7%. The number of children coming for examination and treatment at medical facilities, especially end-level pediatric hospitals in the South such as Children's Hospital 1, Children's Hospital 2, Children's Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City, Tropical Diseases Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City and many specialized pediatric and obstetrics and pediatrics hospitals in provinces and cities is increasing rapidly.
The Ministry of Health warns that many cases have severe progression. Test results show that the strain Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is circulating - this is a highly toxic agent, which can cause severe neurological complications, rapid progression and increase the risk of death.
Faced with the above situation, the Ministry of Health requests directors of medical examination and treatment facilities under the Ministry; directors of Departments of Health of provinces and cities; heads of health departments of ministries and sectors to urgently direct the implementation of many key tasks.
Regarding planning work, units must develop, review and update plans for hand, foot and mouth disease prevention and control suitable to the diễn biến of the epidemic. In which, it is necessary to prepare plans to organize examination, admission, emergency, isolation and treatment when the number of suspected cases or hospitalization increases.
Regarding communication work, the Ministry of Health requests to promote both direct and indirect forms so that family members of pediatric patients, medical staff, trainees, and students understand clearly about the causative agent, route of transmission, common age group, symptoms, complications and disease prevention measures.
In the field of medical examination, admission and treatment, hospitals must proactively ensure sufficient facilities, human resources, drugs, chemicals, supplies and medical equipment according to the Guidance on diagnosis and treatment of hand, foot and mouth disease issued together with Decision No. 292/QD-BYT dated February 6, 2024 of the Minister of Health.
In addition, medical facilities need to organize training and improve the capacity of the team participating in examination and treatment, especially skills in early detection of disease signs, signs of severe change, especially at the primary and secondary health levels.
The Ministry of Health also requests to strengthen the capacity of on-site emergency and treatment. For general hospitals, pediatric hospitals, maternity hospitals, and hospitals for tropical diseases in localities, it is necessary to consolidate intensive care expertise, fully prepare medicines, supplies, and equipment to serve the treatment of seriously ill patients, and at the same time carry out referrals when exceeding professional capacity.
In addition, medical examination and treatment facilities must closely coordinate with the preventive health system in epidemiological surveillance, in order to detect early the risk of epidemic outbreaks.
Regarding infection control, the Ministry of Health requests to strengthen inspection and supervision of compliance with regulations and infection control procedures, treat medical waste in accordance with regulations, minimize cross-infection, and prevent the formation of outbreaks in hospitals.
Along with that, units must strictly implement the regime of reporting infectious diseases according to Circular No. 54/2015/TT-BYT dated December 29, 2015 of the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry of Health requests units to urgently implement. In the process of implementation, if difficulties and obstacles arise, facilities need to promptly report to the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management to summarize and submit to the leaders of the Ministry of Health for consideration and resolution.
