Hand, foot and mouth disease has EV71 virus causing serious illness, Ministry of Health requests to focus on epidemic prevention

Hand, foot and mouth disease has been increasing rapidly in recent weeks, with the emergence of the Enterovirus (EV71) virus that can cause serious illness. The Ministry of Health has requested preparations for epidemic prevention.

Hand, foot and mouth disease patients receive treatment at a medical facility. Photo: VNA

According to the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health), statistics from the Infectious Disease Surveillance System show that from the beginning of 2023 to now, the country has recorded 8,995 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease, of which 3 patients died.

In particular, the number of hand, foot and mouth disease cases has tended to increase rapidly in recent weeks, and the appearance of Enterovirus (EV71) has been recorded, which can cause severe illness in some cases.

To proactively prevent and control hand, foot and mouth disease, minimize the number of cases and deaths, and prevent the disease from breaking out, spreading and lasting, the Ministry of Health has requested the People's Committees of provinces and cities to direct the implementation of hand, foot and mouth disease prevention and control in the area.

Specifically, the People's Committees of provinces and cities direct authorities at all levels, sectors, political and socio -political organizations to proactively coordinate with the health sector to synchronously and drastically deploy solutions to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease, especially focusing on areas with high numbers of cases and at risk of outbreaks.

The local health sector shall proactively and coordinate with the People's Committees at the district level, relevant departments, sectors and agencies to closely monitor and supervise the epidemic situation, promptly detect and promptly handle newly emerging outbreaks; take samples for testing to identify pathogens; strengthen mobile anti-epidemic teams to promptly investigate, verify, handle outbreaks and support lower-level facilities when necessary; fully implement the information reporting and declaration regime for infectious diseases and epidemics according to regulations.

The health sector also organizes well the treatment route, medical examination, admission, emergency, and treatment of patients, paying special attention to severe cases to minimize deaths; effectively preventing cross-infection in medical facilities. At the same time, strengthen information, communication, health education, actively implement patriotic hygiene activities to improve people's health, implement the 3 cleans "clean food, clean drink, clean living"; ensure clean hands and clean toys, organize hand washing campaigns with soap and clean water or hand sanitizer.

Units ensure adequate supplies of medicines, supplies, chemicals, and equipment for emergency care, patient treatment, and disease prevention in all situations; strengthen training on monitoring and treatment of hand, foot, and mouth disease at all levels, especially for grassroots medical staff.

The Department of Information and Communications and media agencies, newspapers and radio stations coordinate with the health sector to strengthen communication on mass media about hand, foot and mouth disease and preventive measures for individuals and communities, especially at educational and training facilities; Diversify forms of communication to people such as neighborhood meetings, broadcasting on ward and commune loudspeakers, on-site training and guidance, leaflets, newspapers and television stations.

The Department of Education and Training of provinces and cities proactively coordinate with the health sector to organize communication at schools, especially at nurseries, kindergartens, and preschools about hand, foot and mouth disease and drastically implement epidemic prevention measures, ensuring that educational and training facilities have enough facilities to wash hands with soap or hand sanitizer regularly, properly, and conveniently. Educational facilities carry out classroom and environmental sanitation, provide enough drinking water, clean water, and ensure food safety in collective kitchens. At the same time, regularly clean tables, chairs, surfaces and toys daily with soap or common detergents; detect early cases of disease at educational and training facilities, immediately notify local health agencies to organize examination, treatment and timely handling of outbreaks.

The Department of Finance shall submit to the People's Committees of provinces and cities for timely decision on allocating and supplementing funds for the prevention and control of hand, foot and mouth disease to promptly implement disease prevention and control measures and ensure adequate supply of medicines, chemicals, supplies and equipment for disease prevention and control in the area.

The Ministry of Health also requested the People's Committees of provinces and cities to direct the organization of interdisciplinary inspection teams to monitor, inspect, support localities and promptly direct the work of preventing and controlling hand, foot and mouth disease.

According to Tin Tuc Newspaper

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