Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has requested all ministries and relatedagencies speed up efforts in preventing and controlling the spread ofhand-foot-mouth disease.
The Government has asked localauthorities at all levels to provide accurate and timely information toresidents about the disease and how to implement preventive measures,such as cleaning the home and school environments.
According to government statistics, Vietnam recorded about 32,500cases of hand-foot-mouth disease since the beginning of 2011. Thedisease has killed at least 81 people in 17 provinces and citiesnationwide, with a concentration in southern provinces. It'sparticularly hazardous to children under five.
Accordingto the Health Ministry, this year's casualties from hand-foot-mouthdisease have been considerably high, and there are no designatedmedicines or vaccines specifically used to cure it.
However, Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said the situation has notbeen serious enough to declare an "epidemic" in the country.
She said it's critical for local and provincial officials, incooperating with health officials, to allocate enough resources toprevent its spread. All medical establishments must prepare a sufficientsupply of medicines and other equipment for treatment./.
The Government has asked localauthorities at all levels to provide accurate and timely information toresidents about the disease and how to implement preventive measures,such as cleaning the home and school environments.
According to government statistics, Vietnam recorded about 32,500cases of hand-foot-mouth disease since the beginning of 2011. Thedisease has killed at least 81 people in 17 provinces and citiesnationwide, with a concentration in southern provinces. It'sparticularly hazardous to children under five.
Accordingto the Health Ministry, this year's casualties from hand-foot-mouthdisease have been considerably high, and there are no designatedmedicines or vaccines specifically used to cure it.
However, Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said the situation has notbeen serious enough to declare an "epidemic" in the country.
She said it's critical for local and provincial officials, incooperating with health officials, to allocate enough resources toprevent its spread. All medical establishments must prepare a sufficientsupply of medicines and other equipment for treatment./.
