Ho Chi Minh City reports over 44,000 hand, foot and mouth disease cases, 60 samples test positive for EV71
Ho Chi Minh City has recorded more than 44,000 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) so far this year, including 1,850 in the past week, as health authorities warn of the presence of Enterovirus 71 (EV71), which can cause severe complications and death.
Over 44,000 hand, foot and mouth disease cases were recorded, with multiple samples testing positive for Enterovirus 71. Photo: Supplied
The Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) reported on Thursday that the city recorded 1,850 HFMD cases between October 19 and 25.
The latest figure brought the city's total to 44,191 cases since the beginning of 2026, with Con Dao Special Zone, Can Gio, and Binh Khanh reporting some of the highest infection rates per 100,000 residents.
According to HCDC, infections began rising sharply in early September, exceeding 1,400 cases per week for several consecutive weeks and surpassing the five-year average.
Disease surveillance through October 18 also detected 60 samples positive for EV71, a virus associated with severe neurological complications and potentially fatal infections.
Health authorities warned that the spread of HFMD requires particular attention as children return to school.
Dr. Du Tuan Quy, head of the Infectious Diseases and Neurology Department at Children's Hospital 1, said children who have not yet started school can also become infected.
He said around 10-20 percent of people may carry the virus without symptoms, urging parents to wash their hands thoroughly before caring for their children, especially after returning home from work.
Parents should watch for fever and rashes on the palms, soles, or buttocks, especially if infections have been reported at their children's schools.
Children should be taken to hospital immediately if they develop persistent high fever, sudden startling during sleep, trembling limbs, difficulty walking, or unusual drowsiness, he advised.
Delaying medical attention, even at night or on weekends, could allow the disease to worsen.
EV71 vaccine offers protection, but not against all HFMD viruses
Dr. Le Thi Giao Thi of the Long Chau Pharmacy and Vaccination System said most children with HFMD recover within seven to 10 days, but EV71 infections can lead to serious complications.
The virus can affect the central nervous system, causing encephalitis, brainstem encephalitis, respiratory failure, and, in severe cases, death.
Vietnam approved an EV71 vaccine in 2026, marking a significant step in preventing the disease.
A phase III clinical trial involving more than 3,000 children in Vietnam and Taiwan found the vaccine to be 96.8 percent effective against EV71-related HFMD.
Doctors advise parents to wash their hands regularly, keep their surroundings clean, and ensure their children receive recommended vaccinations to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease. Photo: Supplied
However, HCDC stressed that vaccination does not provide protection against all forms of HFMD, which can also be caused by other viruses, including Coxsackievirus A16, Coxsackievirus A6, and echoviruses.
The Envacgen vaccine is approved for children aged two months to under six years and is designed specifically to prevent EV71-related disease.
Health authorities urged parents to consider vaccination for eligible children while maintaining regular handwashing, proper hygiene, and close monitoring for symptoms.
Ngoc Nguyen - Thu Hien / Tuoi Tre News