Hand, foot and mouth disease in Viet Nam

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common infectious disease that occurs most often in children, but can also occur in adolescents and occasionally, in adults. In most cases, the disease is mild and self-limiting, with common symptoms, including fever, painful sores in the mouth, and a rash with blisters on hands, feet and buttocks. Enteroviruses causing HFMD are spread by direct contact with saliva, mucus, fluid from blisters and stool of infected people; or indirectly when infected persons touch objects and surfaces which are then touched by others.

Outbreaks of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) occur every few years in different parts of the world, and over the last decade, many outbreaks of HFMD have been reported in countries of the Western Pacific Region. Recently, countries with large increases in the number of reported cases in Asia have included China, Japan, Hong Kong (China), Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.

Currently there are no specific antiviral drugs or vaccine available against enteroviruses causing HFMD. Effective preventive and control measures include practicing personal hygiene and improving sanitation to minimize disease transmission.

In Viet Nam, HFMD circulates year-round in most provinces with two associated peaks, from March to May and from September to December. Annually, about 50 000 to 100 000 HFMD cases were reported including several deaths. The southern region is the most affected area and accounts for over 60% of cases in the whole country. In 2011, Viet Nam experienced a significant increase in HFMD activity with 112 370 cases and 169 deaths reported from all the 63 cities/provinces.