Ho Chi Minh City: The number of cases of hand, foot and mouth disease 'surpasses' dengue fever

Since the beginning of the year, Ho Chi Minh City has had 9,790 cases of dengue fever, but 13,173 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease.

On July 30, the Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City said that it had reported to the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City on the situation of prevention and control of dengue fever, hand, foot and mouth disease and Covid-19.

99.7% of children with hand, foot and mouth disease are hospitalized under 6 years old
According to the latest report of the Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City, from the beginning of 2023 to now, Ho Chi Minh City has 9,790 cases of dengue fever, no deaths.

Currently, hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City treat 158 cases of dengue fever (106 cases in HCMC). Of which, 69 cases are adults (with 2 pregnant women), 89 cases are children.

In particular, there are 13 cases of severe dengue fever (including 3 in Ho Chi Minh City), 8 cases are on invasive mechanical ventilation, 2 cases are on dialysis, most of them are from the provinces.

Meanwhile, the number of cases of hand, foot and mouth disease has increased "outperforming" dengue fever. From the beginning of 2023 until now, Ho Chi Minh City has 13,173 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease.

Currently, hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City are treating 477 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease. Of which, 476 cases are under 6 years old. There were 36 severe cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (7 cases with addresses in HCMC).

Regarding the situation of the Covid-19 epidemic, from the beginning of 2023 until now, Ho Chi Minh City has 5,135 cases of Covid-19 announced. Currently, only 2 cases are being treated at the hospital (1 case needs respiratory support) and 1 case is isolated at home.

Hand, foot and mouth patients are mainly transferred from provinces to Ho Chi Minh City
In the past week, leaders of the Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City have visited the districts to assess the prevention of dengue fever and hand, foot and mouth disease, and direct the promotion of epidemic prevention and control.

Dr. Nguyen Huu Hung, deputy director of the Department of Health, said dengue fever and hand, foot and mouth disease have circulated in Ho Chi Minh City for many years. In 2022, Ho Chi Minh City has the highest number of dengue cases and deaths in many years, so we must be very vigilant. In the first months of 2023, although the number of dengue fever cases is lower than 2022, the Department of Health assesses the risk of outbreaks and spread if no solutions are available. Ho Chi Minh City has been preparing since the beginning of the year and has implemented quite good control of dengue fever. In order to better prevent the disease, Dr. Hung said that it is necessary to mobilize people to participate in killing mosquitoes, larvae and reflect through the application "Online health" the risk points for local authorities to handle.

As for the hand, foot and mouth disease, due to the return of the Entero 71 virus strain (EV71), which causes severe disease, the number of cases has increased significantly. The upcoming risk is great, especially in families with children. Leaders of the Department of Health have directed district health departments to strengthen monitoring of hand, foot and mouth disease cases, especially case reports from private medical facilities. Besides, there is communication on hand washing, prevention of infection from sick people.

From a treatment perspective, Dr. Dr. Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, deputy director of the Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City, added that in the last 1-2 weeks, dengue fever started to increase. Therefore, hospitals and clinics need to recognize signs of serious illness to avoid death.

In addition, Ho Chi Minh City has 4 last-line hospitals for hand, foot and mouth treatment: Children's Hospital 1, Children's Hospital 2, City Children's Hospital and Hospital for Tropical Diseases. Hospitals are also overloaded due to receiving patients from provinces in the region. The expert committees of hospitals have worked together and made recommendations on the effective use of drugs, especially intravenous Gamma Globulin, which is scarce. It is expected that in more than a week, 3,000 bottles of Gamma Globulin will be imported.

* SOURCE: https://thanhnien.vn/tphcm-so-ca-mac-tay-chan-mieng-vuot-sot-xuat-huyet-185230730112914231.htm