More than 2,100 children in HCM City contracted hand-foot-mouth disease in the past three months, double the number in the same period last year, according to the city's Department of Health.
A total of 70 percent of the patients are under three years old, and 11 children have already died.
Since March the number of cases has increased 2.5 times each month.
The reason for the increase was the appearance of a new virus enterovirus 71 type B2, said Le Truong Giang, deputy director of the health department.
Hygiene levels in homes and schools are also an issue, he said.
Doctors at the Paediatrics Hospital No 1 said that in the last week of May, more than 100 children were being hospitalised with the disease per day.
In Paediatrics Hospital No 2, 5,450 children were tested for the disease last month, and 795 of them were hospitalised, double the number in April. As many as 284 of the 795 patients were from neighbouring provinces.
At present more than 300 children are receiving treatment at the two hospitals, 15 of whom are in a serious condition and need special care, said Nguyen Van Tho, a doctor from Paediatrics Hospital No 1.
The municipal People's Committee last week sent an urgent letter to health, education and training, information and communications departments, and district People's Committees, urging them to take preventive measures.
Doctors warned that residents should wash children's hands regularly and clean children's toys and homes with antiseptic solution once a week.
Giang said that the Department of Health would issue 12,000 packets of antiseptic solution, free of charge, for city residents.
If children show symptoms of a high temperature, difficulty breathing or rashes on their feet, hands and mouth, they should be taken to hospital immediately./.
A total of 70 percent of the patients are under three years old, and 11 children have already died.
Since March the number of cases has increased 2.5 times each month.
The reason for the increase was the appearance of a new virus enterovirus 71 type B2, said Le Truong Giang, deputy director of the health department.
Hygiene levels in homes and schools are also an issue, he said.
Doctors at the Paediatrics Hospital No 1 said that in the last week of May, more than 100 children were being hospitalised with the disease per day.
In Paediatrics Hospital No 2, 5,450 children were tested for the disease last month, and 795 of them were hospitalised, double the number in April. As many as 284 of the 795 patients were from neighbouring provinces.
At present more than 300 children are receiving treatment at the two hospitals, 15 of whom are in a serious condition and need special care, said Nguyen Van Tho, a doctor from Paediatrics Hospital No 1.
The municipal People's Committee last week sent an urgent letter to health, education and training, information and communications departments, and district People's Committees, urging them to take preventive measures.
Doctors warned that residents should wash children's hands regularly and clean children's toys and homes with antiseptic solution once a week.
Giang said that the Department of Health would issue 12,000 packets of antiseptic solution, free of charge, for city residents.
If children show symptoms of a high temperature, difficulty breathing or rashes on their feet, hands and mouth, they should be taken to hospital immediately./.
