On May 22, the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) said that according to the infectious disease monitoring system, from the beginning of 2025 to now, the city has recorded 6,711 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease, an increase of 49% over the same period in 2024.
The number of inpatient cases is 967 cases, an increase of 15% over the same period in 2024, with no deaths recorded. Of which, the number of hand, foot and mouth disease cases fluctuated, tending to increase from week 8 and increase in week 20 (12-18.5).
Particularly in the week 20 recorded 916 hand, foot and mouth, up 40% compared to the average of 4 weeks ago, of which, the number of inpatient cases increased by 26% compared to the average of 4 weeks ago. Most districts have increased number of cases, of which 8/22 districts have an increase in the number of cases compared to the average number of cases 4 weeks ago including districts 1, 5, 7, 12, Binh Chanh, Binh Tan, Tan Binh and Thu Duc City.
HCDC emphasized that with the rapid increase in hand, foot and mouth disease cases and the number of hospitalizations, it is very important to clearly understand the transmission route and precautions.
hand, foot and mouth disease is transmitted through the digestive tract, the hands of children or caregivers, household items, especially toys and daily items infected with viruses from feces or foot-and-mouth disease, ulcers or respiratory secretions, and saliva of sick children.
In addition, the disease can be transmitted through direct contact between sick children and other children through respiratory secretions or saliva seeds.
The disease currently has no vaccine to prevent it. Therefore, disease prevention is mainly achieved through maintaining children's and caregivers' hygiene such as washing their hands regularly with water and soap, wiping away surfaces and daily contact tools of children such as toys, school supplies, door handles, staircase handles, table/seat, floor with soap or common detergents.
In particular, when detecting children with suspected signs of hand, foot and mouth disease (fever, hand, foot rash, mouth ulcers, heartburn), it is necessary to take the child to the doctor or immediately notify the nearest health agency for timely guidance and support.
hand, foot and mouth disease is an acute infectious disease caused by intestinal viruses, transmitted through the digestive tract, commonly found in children under 5 years old and capable of causing major epidemics.
