Delayed transfers, healthcare gaps, EV71 drive rise in child HFMD deaths in southern Vietnam

In the first three months of 2026, Ho Chi Minh City and the four southern localities of Dong Nai, An Giang, Can Tho, and Dong Thap recorded eight deaths from the disease, compared to none in the same period last year, the Ho Chi Minh City Pasteur Institute said.

Health officials said delayed transfers are among the most critical factors, with many children reaching tertiary hospitals only after their conditions have become severe.

A four-year-old girl in Can Tho died after about 10 days of illness, including five days of home care and treatment at local facilities before being transferred to the Ho Chi Minh City Children’s Hospital in critical condition.

Despite intensive care, she passed away from complications including acute myocarditis, brain edema, and sepsis.

Nguyen Minh Tien, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Children’s Hospital, said local hospitals need stronger capacity to manage severe cases or to seek timely remote consultations with higher-level facilities.

He warned that once the disease progresses to a critical stage, transfers become extremely difficult and delays can be fatal.

“In severe stages, every hour counts, and delays in transfer can mean losing the golden window for treatment,” he said.

Dr. Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, said late referrals have been recorded in some southern provinces, with patients arriving at higher-level hospitals in critical condition.

Beyond delayed transfers, gaps in grassroots healthcare capacity have also contributed to the rising number of severe HFMD cases.

Dr. Chau stressed the need for earlier detection and stronger treatment capability at the local level to avoid late diagnosis and prevent cases from worsening and becoming fatal.

Dr. Nguyen Vu Thuong, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Pasteur Institute, said commune- and ward-level health units are on the frontline of outbreak response but they often lack sufficient resources.

He noted that some areas face shortages of medicines and outbreak control supplies due to procurement bottlenecks, while wide geographic coverage further strains their capacity.

Coordination gaps have also been identified, particularly between schools and local health authorities, leading to delayed or incomplete reporting of early cases.

In some instances, schools recorded infections in student health logs without notifying local health stations, hindering timely response.

In addition to system gaps and delayed care, the Ministry of Health said the rise in severe cases and deaths is partly linked to the circulation of a more virulent strain, the EV71.

The ministry warned that HFMD is increasing across southern provinces, with a notable spike in severe cases compared to last year.

Data from Can Tho Children’s Hospital show both outpatient and inpatient cases increasing in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.

Dr. Ong Huy Thanh, director of the hospital, said that among 524 HFMD patients hospitalized this year, 26 were severe, most linked to EV71.

While the overall disease pattern remains similar to previous years, he noted that many severe cases are associated with late presentation.

Authorities in Can Tho have recorded 954 infections so far this year, a 125-percent jump compared to the same period last year, with cases reported in every commune and ward.

While infections are still dispersed, officials caution that the appearance of severe cases and fatalities points to a growing risk of a wider outbreak, especially as the EV71 strain continues to circulate.

A similar pattern is emerging in Ca Mau and Dong Thap, where case numbers are climbing and EV71 has also been identified.