Proactively prevent epidemics right from the classroom
With the rapid increase in hand, foot and mouth disease cases, more than 390 children at Kindergarten 14 (Tan Binh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) were instructed by teachers on hygiene skills, identification of symptoms and prevention of infection. In each class, all school supplies and toys are disinfected daily, exposed to the sun periodically to limit the survival of pathogens.
The school also closely coordinates with parents, providing information about the epidemic and reminding parents to observe suspicious signs. When children show unusual signs, parents are advised to let their children stay home from school and take them to the doctor to avoid cross-infection in class.
According to Ms. Huynh Thi Phuong Thao - Principal of Kindergarten 14, epidemic prevention work has been implemented synchronously: Children are instructed to wash their hands properly, wear masks when necessary and follow a healthy diet. The class is periodically disinfected, meals are nutritious, creating peace of mind for parents about the health safety of children.
The Tan Binh Regional Medical Center has also supervised and recorded many schools in the area strictly implementing epidemic prevention procedures, from screening children every morning, disinfecting the classroom to equipping soap and hand sanitizer. Teachers are specially trained in hand washing, Cloramine B mixing and how to handle suspected cases. Propaganda materials were sent to parents to strengthen coordination in monitoring children at home.
A representative of the Medical Center said that ward health stations are required to closely monitor cases at schools, proactively handle when detecting unusual signs and promote communication so that parents clearly understand the route of infection, symptoms and how to properly care for children.
Cases increase sharply, EV71 returns
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, last week the city recorded 1,547 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease, an increase of 15% compared to the average of the previous 4 weeks. Since the beginning of the year, the total number of cases has reached 32,637, 64% higher than the same period in 2024. Currently, hospitals are treating 65 severe cases of type 2b or higher; on average, three children progress severely each week.
End-line hospitals are receiving 640 pediatric patients transferred from the province, of which 8 cases are critical. The EV71 virus, which can easily cause complications of the nervous system, respiratory system, and circulation, has reappeared. At Children's Hospital 1, 10/18 severe cases were recorded with EV71 in November. The Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) also discovered EV71 when monitoring more than 400 drug samples since the beginning of the year.
Although the number of cases has increased rapidly, the health sector believes that the situation is still controlled thanks to pediatric resuscitation capacity and response experience from previous epidemics. However, parents need to be highly vigilant, especially in the first 7-10 days of the child's illness.
The Department of Health requires schools to clean classrooms, disinfect toys and let children with illnesses stay home from school in accordance with regulations. The treatment system has activated a quick consultation process to handle the bad progression of the case, minimizing the risk of death.
The doctor recommends that parents take their children to the hospital immediately when warning signs appear such as: Seizures, throbbing of the limbs, vomiting a lot, rapid breathing, sluggishness or high fever that does not respond to medication. Washing hands with soap every day for both children and caregivers is still the most effective disease prevention measure today.
