Ho Chi Minh City reports surge in HFMD cases, 2 deaths in a week

The previous four-week average was 424 cases, while 529 cases were recorded during March 2–8.

Infections climbed in 117 of 168 local areas, including 37 where cases reached alert levels.

The city treated 138 patients transferred from other provinces, accounting for 20.6 percent of the cases, while eight severe cases were recorded, six of them from outside the city.

The two deaths brought total fatalities this year to three, compared with none in 2025.

Health authorities said they would step up surveillance, early detection and outbreak control, particularly in childcare settings.

The city recorded 30 school outbreaks and 49 community clusters during the week, and six cases tested positive for EV71, a strain linked to more severe cases of the disease, among 25 samples collected this year.