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HCM City reports surge in hand, foot and mouth disease

Ho Chi Minh City has recorded a sharp rise in hand, foot and mouth disease cases, with three deaths reported so far this year.

HCM City reports surge in hand, foot and mouth disease - 1
A child receives treatment for hand, foot and mouth disease in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: KD)

The city logged 837 cases between March 9 and 15, up 97 per cent from the previous four-week average and 241 per cent year-on-year, exceeding the alert threshold, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Centre for Disease Control.

Authorities identified 30 school-based outbreaks and 49 in the community, with cumulative cases since the start of the year reaching nearly 7,300.

Two deaths were reported during the week, bringing the total to three, compared with none in the same period last year.

Testing showed that six of 25 samples were positive for the Enterovirus 71 strain, which is linked to more severe illness.

Although overall case numbers remain lower than at the end of 2025, the sharp weekly increase suggests a renewed upward trend, health officials said.

Authorities have urged closer monitoring, early detection and swift containment of outbreaks, alongside stronger public awareness efforts, particularly in nurseries and home-based childcare settings.

Meanwhile, dengue fever cases fell to 582 in the same week, down 14.4 per cent from the four-week average, with total infections this year exceeding 12,200.

In the first half of March, officials inspected 1,013 high-risk sites, detecting mosquito larvae at 25 locations.

Content link: https://dtinews.dantri.com.vn/vietnam-today/hcm-city-reports-surge-in-hand-foot-and-mouth-disease-20260324203253808.htm