Hand-Foot-Mouth disease outbreaks in southern province

BINH DINH – (VNS) Hand-foot-mouth disease (HFM) and dengue fever outbreaks have been recorded in almost all districts of the southern province Binh Dinh, according to the province's Health Department's deputy director Le Quang Hung.

More than 110 new cases were detected during this week, an increase of 28 cases compared with the previous week.

Despite efforts of local health authorities to sanitise living areas and increase public awareness about disease prevention, the number of HFM patients has increased to 2,294.

So far, two fatalities have been recorded and 70 others are being treated at district healthcare centres.

The districts with the highest number of patients include Phu My, An Nhon, Tuy Phuoc and Phu Cat.

About 30 further cases of dengue fever have also been recorded recently, bringing the total number of dengue sufferers to 417 people. Two patients have so far died from the disease within the first eight months of this year.

Statistics from the Health Ministry revealed that 76,000 people had contracted HFM disease nationwide since the beginning of this year, resulting in 41 deaths. Meanwhile more than 38,000 people have been infected with dengue fever, resulting in 29 fatalities.

The ministry also says the number of dengue fever cases has also increased in the central and southern regions. Hot and humid weather is said to be a contributing factor for the outbreak of the two diseases. – VNS