HFMD cases reaching peak but not fatal : DCD
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The cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) currently being found in Thailand are neither new strains nor mutations, said Emerging Infectious Diseases Bureau director and Disease Control Department spokesman Dr Rungruang Kitpati.
The contagious HFMD strains circulating in Thailand are Enterovirus 71, Coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) and Coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6), with the latter being found the most often. CVA6 is not fatal, but the viruses are airborne and change every year, he noted.
HFMD is usually found in children under age 12, particularly those under age five, he said, explaining that finding the disease among them is also normal.
In Thailand, the number of patients has reached almost 14,000, and this is considered the peak contagious period. The spread is expected to continue for up to six weeks, according to Dr Rungruang, who asked the public not to panic.
Meanwhile, he praised schools for closing temporarily for cleaning and the prevention of further outbreaks. Schools with a few patients, but which have previously closed for cleaning, were asked to follow the instructions of Public Health Ministry and local authorities.
One measure being carried out jointly by the Public Health and Education Ministries is having teachers manually inspect their students for fever or wounds on their cheeks.
Parents are also advised to monitor their children's health and sanitation. Youngsters feeling nauseated, having high fever for more than three days, or having transparent bumps on skin should see a doctor immediately.
