Ho Chi Minh City detects return of EV71 as severe hand, foot and mouth cases rise

Children’s Hospital No. 1 found EV71 in 10 of 18 severe cases tested last month, accounting for 56 percent of samples, director of the municipal health department Tang Chi Thuong said.

The city logged 1,547 cases in the week of November 17–23, up 15 percent from the four-week average.

Total infections since January have reached 32,637, a 64-percent increase from 2024.

Cases have risen steadily since early September.

No deaths have been reported, but 65 patients have developed severe illness.

Hospitals have also received 640 transfers from other provinces, including eight severe cases, the department said.

The city’s disease control center said EV71 was first detected this year in early November after testing more than 400 samples.

Authorities warned the virus’s return coincides with a rise in both overall and severe cases.

Officials said the surge remains below 2023 levels and there is no sign of a widespread outbreak.

The health department ordered tighter surveillance at local clinics and hospitals and increased hygiene checks at schools and childcare centers.