Hand, foot and mouth disease is increasing rapidly in many provinces in the West.

tay chân miệng - Ảnh 1. — Children with hand, foot and mouth disease at Can Tho Children's Hospital, hands and feet often have blisters - Photo: THAI LUY

On November 26, Can Tho Children's Hospital said that since September, the situation of hand, foot and mouth disease in children has increased sharply and become very complicated, especially in children under 5 years old.

According to hospital data, in September, October and November, the number of children with hand, foot and mouth disease requiring inpatient treatment increased 5-6 times compared to the same period last year.

Every month, over 300 inpatient cases are recorded. In recent weeks, the outpatient department of Can Tho Children's Hospital has received an average of over 100 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease each day, many of which were admitted late with signs of neurological and cardiovascular complications.

According to the report in Vinh Long province, in October, 1,587 cases were recorded, an increase of 93% compared to the previous month (822 cases) and an increase of 33.8% compared to the same period in 2024 (1,186 cases). The cumulative number of cases recorded was 4,127 cases, an increase of 33.8% compared to the same period (3,083 cases). The number of outbreaks recorded in the month was 72, an increase of 36 compared to the previous month; an increase of 40 compared to the same period in 2024 (32 outbreaks).

Doctor Truong Cam Trinh - Head of the Examination Department, Can Tho Children's Hospital - said the increase in hand, foot and mouth disease signals that the disease is entering its peak, with the risk of spreading in the community if there are no preventive measures.

Families and teachers of preschools need to pay attention to the signs of hand, foot and mouth disease in children: fever, mouth ulcers, drooling, blisters on the hands, feet and mouth (possibly on the knees and buttocks), loss of appetite... Children with mild illness can be examined and treated at home as prescribed by a doctor. Sick children need to be isolated at home (at least 10 days), disinfect the child's personal belongings, utensils and tools with a cleaning solution; wash hands with soap; do not share personal items...

Especially when children have severe symptoms such as being startled many times, high fever, vomiting a lot, shaking hands and feet, staggering, rapid breathing... they need to be taken to a specialized hospital for treatment immediately.

CDC Vinh Long recommends that people wash their hands frequently with soap under running water many times a day (both adults and children), especially before preparing food, before eating, before holding children, after using the toilet, after changing diapers and cleaning children.