HFMD suspected in death of Cambodian toddler, tests awaited
Play
Lab tests will shortly pinpoint the cause of death of a two-year-old Cambodian boy in a Rayong hospital, amid unconfirmed reports that the child succumbed to hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).
Dr Surawit Khonsomboon, deputy public health minister, said that the boy showed symptoms similar to those of hand, foot and mouth disease before dying at Klaeng Hospital in Rayong’s Klaeng district.
Medical investigators are seeking cause of his death and where he may have contracted the disease. Physicians said the child had a record of frequent travel to Cambodia. The lab test to determine cause of death is being conducted by the department of medical sciences.
Several other children who came into close contact with the victim have fallen sick. Lab tests have been conducted to determine the cause of their illness.
On Thursday, Rayong public health chief Kris Pansuk identified the victim only as Kimha, aged 2 and a half. He said it was suspected that the child caught HFMD, mainly because of his symptoms - blisters, high fever and vomiting.
The boy developed symptoms on July 21. His parents took him to a clinic twice, the first occasion a few days after he became ill.
“Because his condition did not improve, he was sent to the Klaeng Hospital on Wednesday. He died just two hours after being admitted,” Kris said.
Meanwhile, in Bangkok, Dr Wongwat Lewlak, head of the Bangkok municipality’s Communicable Diseases Control Division in the Department of Health said the total number of HFMD in the capital between January 1 and July 27 stood at 3,524 cases.
An additional 179 cases were reported Friday. The number is rather high, Dr Wongwat said, but added that he believed the spread of the disease would drop in a few weeks. City Hall is now implementing prevention measures continuously.
“It is good for parents to be alert and take their children to see doctors immediately if they notice anything out of the ordinary,” Dr Wongwat said. “The illness is curable and can be prevented by (using) good hygiene.”
