On June 9, the Ca Mau Provincial Center for Disease Control said that from the beginning of 2026 to date, the whole province has recorded 1,472 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease, an increase of more than 149% compared to the same period in 2025 (590 cases).
The death case was a 3-year-old boy, residing in Vinh Loc commune. Previously, the child had symptoms of fever, mouth ulcers, blisters on the palms of his hands and feet. Although his family took him to the hospital for treatment, he did not survive.
After recording the death, a working group of the Department of Health and the Ca Mau Provincial Center for Disease Control inspected and supervised epidemic prevention and control work in Hong Dan and Vinh Loc communes.
At Hong Dan General Hospital, the working delegation provided professional guidance on diagnosis, treatment monitoring, safe transfer; and at the same time requested to prepare sufficient medicines, chemicals, and intravenous fluids to serve patient treatment.
In Vinh Loc commune, the Commune Health Station was instructed to urgently handle the outbreak, strengthen surveillance and monitor close contact cases for 14 days, and promote propaganda on disease prevention measures in the community.
According to the Ca Mau Provincial Center for Disease Control, the risk of hand, foot and mouth disease continuing to develop complicatedly in the area is very high, especially in preschool education institutions, children's groups and concentrated residential areas.
Faced with the above situation, Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee has directed departments, branches and localities to strengthen epidemic surveillance, ensure sufficient medicines, supplies, and equipment to serve epidemic prevention and control; and at the same time promote propaganda to help people recognize disease signs early and take children to medical facilities in a timely manner.
The health sector recommends that parents pay special attention to warning signs of severe disease such as continuous high fever, startling, prolonged crying to promptly take children to the hospital and limit the risk of death.
