What is Hand Foot Mouth Disease? This is what WHO says about it

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is in news again after certain media houses reported fresh cases of the HFMD in Chandigarh. Earlier in May, over two-dozen cases were reported in Odisha with 19 cases getting reported in Bhubaneswar according to reports by PTI. If you are wondering what HFDM is and what its symptoms are, World Health Organisation (WHO) describes this disease in the following way.     

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. However, more severe symptoms such as meningitis, encephalitis and polio-like paralysis may occur, the WHO website says.

What is HFMD?

HFMD is a common infectious disease of infants and children., HFMD is not transmitted to or from pets or other animals., Severe signs of HFMD infections In a small number of children, HFMD may cause severe disease., Treatment of children with HFMD There is no specific treatment of HFMD., How can HFMD be prevented? Good hygiene practice can prevent HFMD.

Through the Regional Event Based Surveillance System, WHO monitors HFMD in the region to detect outbreaks and other significant events. However, the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office will no longer produce the bi-weekly Western Pacific Region Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Surveillance Summary.

Since 01 January 2011 to 04 September 2011, 98 deaths and 42,673 cases of HFMD have been confirmed across, years or less.Viet Nam has implemented precautionary measures in an effort to reduce the spread of HFMD, "The number of HFMD cases might increase in the coming months when preschools and kindergartens resume, in those who have tested positive for HFMD.Typically, HFMD sporadically occurs across Viet Nam but remains, Currently, there is no vaccine or specific medication against HFMD.