3-year-old child dies of suspected hand-foot-mouth disease

A three-year old child has died in Lao Cai province with symptoms of hand-foot-mouth disease such as blisters on both hands and feet, coughing and fever.

The patient, Hoang Van Phong, who lives in Hung Thang village, Gia phu commune, Bao Thang district, was admitted to the Lao Cai General Hospital No2 for treatment, but died on February 27.

Nguyen Van Suu, Director of the Lao Cai provincial Preventive Medicine Centre said medical experts have been sent to Gia Phu commune to get blood samples for testing, but there is not yet any confirmation of the disease spreading in the province.

The provincial Department of Health has directed local medical centres to help people disinfect schools and areas which are likely to be affected by the disease.

There are some 20 children suspected of contracting the disease in Gia Phu commune. Three are under isolated treatment at a local clinic centre and the rest staying at home.