Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease in Vietnam

Hospitals in many localities are reporting significant increases in the past month in the number of children seeking care for hand-foot-mouth infections. About 25 children per day are being treated and a number of the cases are in serious condition. One death has been registered. Ho Chi Minh City has recorded 2,569 cases who represent a significant increase in the number of infected children.

Visit our Health Library for more information on exposure to and the prevention of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease.

Among the notifiable diseases in Viet Nam, hand-foot-mouth disease has been one of the top 10 causes of morbidity and mortality. The risk of exposure will vary from place to place. Small children are most susceptible to infection with this virus. Travellers who are travelling with small children can decrease the risk of exposure to the hand-foot-mouth disease virus by washing hands frequently and by maintaining careful personal hygiene.