An Giang strengthens prevention and control of hand, foot and mouth disease and dengue fever

Treatment of children with dengue fever and hand, foot and mouth disease at An Giang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital

In Thoai Son district, there were 144 cases of dengue fever, 34 outbreaks, a decrease of 925 cases compared to the same period, including 3 severe cases; 356 cases of hand and foot lice, an increase of 98 cases compared to the same period in 2022, 50 outbreaks, an increase of 17 outbreaks, and 1 death from hand and foot lice in Binh Thanh commune. Dr. Tran Ngoc Diep (Acting Director of Thoai Son District Medical Center) informed: "The locality has developed and implemented the plan "Clean hands - disease prevention"; well implemented the work of monitoring cases and outbreaks. All outbreaks were focused on and handled according to the correct procedures, and the number of cases in the outbreak area was controlled.

At the same time, monitor the application of TCM disease prevention solutions at kindergartens, preschools, childcare centers, including private childcare centers... However, there are still some people who are subjective in disease prevention according to recommendations, such as: Not checking and treating mosquito larvae weekly in households, not paying attention to washing hands before, during and after taking care of children...".

In An Phu district, 227 cases of dengue fever were recorded (38 severe cases), with 81 outbreaks, down 818 cases compared to the same period; TCM had 103 cases, down 36 cases. Dr. CKII Tran Van Sang, Director of An Phu District Medical Center said: "The district has carried out 7 campaigns to eradicate mosquito larvae, 14/14 communes and towns held rallies to launch the campaign to eradicate mosquito larvae in 14 hamlets with a high number of cases; carried out environmental sanitation and sprayed chemicals to kill mosquitoes in 81 small outbreaks; coordinated radio and mobile radio broadcasting to prevent and control epidemics".

Dr. Ton Quang Chanh, Director of An Giang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, said that the hospital has planned and ensured adequate means, equipment, medicines, infusion fluids, and essential medicines used in emergency and treatment; consulted with higher levels for difficult cases and serious illnesses...

According to the An Giang Department of Health, the number of weekly dengue fever cases is still within the forecast threshold, however, it is the rainy season, the weather is suitable for mosquitoes and larvae to develop, the epidemic is likely to break out, some localities will receive 2 epidemics occurring at the same time (overlapping epidemics). The HFMD epidemic has an increasing trend (32-100 cases/week), the number of cases has exceeded the forecast threshold and has continued to increase in recent weeks.

At the same time, the emergence of the EV71 virus strain (accounting for 71.3%) and its distribution in districts across the province. It is forecasted that the epidemic will break out strongly in the coming time, especially during the school year, posing challenges for prevention and treatment for children under 5 years old.

Faced with the increasing number of cases of hand-foot-mouth disease and severe dengue fever, the An Giang Department of Health will coordinate with the An Giang Department of Education and Training to establish inspection and supervision teams at schools and communities; prepare medicines, supplies, and chemicals to fight the epidemic; strengthen communication to remind people to kill mosquito larvae to prevent and control dengue fever; people and relatives of patients to take preventive measures for children; early detection of signs of worsening, limiting deaths. The health sector will continue to monitor infectious disease cases; thoroughly handle outbreaks; coordinate inspections of childcare facilities, promptly detect cases...

Dr. Tran Quang Hien, Director of An Giang Department of Health, said that he has directed medical units to regularly monitor and update the developments of the epidemic situation and propose appropriate solutions for disease prevention and control. Collect samples of TCCM test specimens from level 2B or higher from units and send them to the Pasteur Institute (Ho Chi Minh City). At the same time, closely monitor daily cases of the disease at the examination and treatment department and in the community, promptly detect new outbreaks, isolate and thoroughly handle outbreaks within 48 hours when detecting sporadic cases or outbreaks of TCM, Dengue fever. Strengthen mobile anti-epidemic teams; communicate disease prevention and control in the community and schools; especially nurseries, kindergartens, etc.

According to Director of the Department of Education and Training of An Giang, Tran Thi Ngoc Diem, the unit has issued an official dispatch directing the strong implementation of activities to prevent and control hand-foot-mouth disease in educational institutions, especially in nurseries and kindergartens; early detection and isolation of cases, cleaning of classrooms and the environment; and instructing students to regularly wash their hands with soap and clean water.

Resolutely and synchronously deploy epidemic prevention and control solutions in areas at high risk of outbreaks such as: childcare centers, kindergartens, primary schools, etc. Mobilize parents and students to implement environmental sanitation measures, personal hygiene, hand washing with soap, clean eating, clean living and keeping children's toys clean. Manage health well, detect cases of illness early, immediately notify health authorities for timely examination and treatment, and resolutely prevent the spread of epidemics in schools.

It is forecasted that in the coming time, especially during the rainy season and the school opening season, dengue fever and hand-foot-mouth disease may increase if there are no timely prevention and control measures and solutions. The health sector recommends that people need to practice environmental, home and personal hygiene; practice 3 clean (clean eating, clean drinking and playing with clean toys); organize hand washing campaigns with soap, environmental sanitation campaigns, and proactive disinfection to prevent and control hand-foot-mouth disease in schools.

When there are signs of suspected dengue fever or hand and foot disease, patients should immediately go to the nearest medical facility for timely examination and treatment; absolutely do not arbitrarily buy medicine and treat at home, to avoid unfortunate incidents.

HANH CHAU

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