“Department of Disease Control” Disease warning “Hand, Foot, and Mouth” Epidemics that coincide with the rainy season, along with recommendations for educational institutions to screen and observe symptoms of young children before school entry, emphasizing prevention methods.
On July 4, 2024, Dr. Thongchai Keeratihatthayakorn, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, stated that the changing weather during this period, as it enters the rainy season, creates favorable conditions for the spread of various germs, particularly hand, foot, and mouth disease. Furthermore, with schools resuming regular operations, children may engage in group activities, increasing the risk of germ transmission. This disease typically exhibits the highest infection rates among young children and school-aged children, especially those under five years old.
The virus can easily spread through contact with nasal discharge, saliva, fluid from blisters or sores, or shared toys, equipment, or containers. Therefore, schools should implement measures to screen and monitor children for HFMD symptoms before they enter school each morning. If children exhibit symptoms, these measures can help prevent the spread to other children.
Data from the Epidemiology Division, Department of Disease Control, from January 1 to June 29, 2024, revealed a total of 23,143 patients with hand, foot, and mouth disease, resulting in one death. The three age groups with the highest infection rates per 100,000 population were newborns to 4 years old with 16,732 patients, followed by the 5-9 year old group with 5,597 patients and the 10-14 year old group with 488 patients. The five provinces with the highest infection rates per 100,000 population were Phuket (110.63), Chiang Rai (97.60), Chonburi (83.55), Phatthalung (82.40), and Saraburi (67.79), respectively.
Most infected individuals with hand, foot, and mouth disease may not exhibit symptoms or only experience minor symptoms such as low fever, fatigue, sore throat, and mouth pain. In young children, refusal to eat or drooling may be observed. Additionally, a rash or small blisters may develop on the palms, soles, trunk, buttocks, and sores in the mouth, soft palate, cheeks, and tongue, which later break into shallow sores. Most symptoms will improve and heal naturally within 7-10 days. If symptoms persist, including high fever, limited eating and drinking, lethargy, convulsions, shortness of breath, or severe vomiting, the patient should seek immediate medical attention. These severe symptoms may indicate a potentially serious hand, foot, and mouth infection with possible complications leading to death.
Dr. Apichart Wachiraphan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, emphasized the importance of parents and educational institutions closely and consistently monitoring children’s symptoms. Educational institutions and daycare centers should adhere to the following recommendations to prevent hand, foot, and mouth disease:
1. Implement strict screening procedures for children before entering school every morning.
2. Encourage frequent handwashing with soap and water (alcohol gel is ineffective against this germ), before and after eating, after using the toilet, and after playing with toys.
3. Regularly clean toys, equipment, and shared areas used by children.
4. If a sick child is identified, isolate them from healthy children. Notify parents to take the child home for medical evaluation and keep the child home from school until they recover. Separate the sick child’s personal belongings from those of healthy children. Clean these belongings with a general cleaning solution or disinfectant and let them dry in the sun. Avoid contact with other children. Refrain from visiting public or crowded places.
In the event of an outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease in a specific group, the local public health officer should be notified to conduct an investigation and implement disease control measures. For further information, please contact the Department of Disease Control hotline at 1422.
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease: A Rainy Season Epidemic and Prevention Tips for Schools
The arrival of the rainy season brings with it a heightened risk of various illnesses, including the highly contagious hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). This viral infection primarily affects young children and school-aged individuals, with a particular vulnerability for those under 5 years old. The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has issued a warning to educational institutions and parents to remain vigilant and implement preventative measures to safeguard children from HFMD outbreaks.
Understanding the Risks and Transmission
Dr. Thongchai Keeratihatthayakorn, Director-General of the DDC, highlighted the increased vulnerability during the rainy season due to the spread of germs. Schools, with their congregate settings and activities, serve as potential breeding grounds for infectious diseases. HFMD spreads easily through direct contact with nasal discharge, saliva, fluid from blisters, and sores. Shared toys, equipment, and containers can also harbor the virus.
HFMD Statistics and Prevalence
Data from the Epidemiology Division, DDC, reveals a concerning trend in HFMD cases. From January 1st to June 29th, 2024, a total of 23,143 patients were reported, including one fatality. The age group most affected (per 100,000 population) was newborns to 4 years old, with 16,732 cases. This was followed by the 5-9-year-old age group with 5,597 cases and the 10-14-year-old age group with 488 cases. The provinces with the highest infection rates were Phuket (110.63), Chiang Rai (97.60), Chonburi (83.55), Phatthalung (82.40), and Saraburi (67.79).
Recognizing the Symptoms of HFMD
While most infected individuals experience mild or no symptoms, young children often display noticeable signs. These include:
- Low fever
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Mouth pain
- Refusal to eat or drooling
- Rash or small blisters on the palms, soles, trunk, buttocks
- Sores in the mouth, soft palate, cheeks, and tongue
The blisters typically develop into shallow sores and usually heal within 7-10 days. However, it’s crucial to seek medical attention if symptoms worsen. This includes:
- High fever
- Limited food and water intake
- Lethargy
- Convulsions
- Shortness of breath
- Severe vomiting
Crucial Prevention Strategies for Educational Institutions
Dr. Apichart Wachiraphan, Deputy Director-General of the DDC, emphasized the importance of consistent monitoring of children’s symptoms by both parents and educational institutions. To prevent HFMD outbreaks in schools and daycare centers, the following recommendations should be implemented:
1. Strict Screening Before School Entry
Every morning, schools should conduct thorough screenings to identify children exhibiting HFMD symptoms. This early detection helps prevent further spread within the school environment.
2. Frequent Handwashing
Children should be encouraged to wash their hands frequently with soap and water, before and after meals, after using the restroom, and after playing with toys. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against the virus that causes HFMD.
3. Regular Cleaning and Disinfection
Toys, equipment, and shared areas should be cleaned and disinfected regularly. This reduces the risk of virus transmission through contaminated surfaces.
4. Isolation and Communication
If a child is found to be ill, they should be separated from other children and their parents notified to take them home for medical evaluation. The sick child should remain at home until they recover. Their personal belongings should be kept separate from other children’s items, cleaned with a disinfectant, and dried in the sun. They should avoid contact with other children and crowded public places.
5. Reporting Outbreaks
In case of a HFMD outbreak within a school or community, immediate notification to the local public health officer is essential to initiate investigation and control measures.
Seeking Additional Information
For further information on hand, foot and mouth disease, please contact the Department of Disease Control hotline at 1422.
Table of Data: HFMD Cases by Age Group (January 1 – June 29, 2024)
| Age Group | Number of Cases |
|---|---|
| Newborns to 4 Years Old | 16,732 |
| 5-9 Years Old | 5,597 |
| 10-14 Years Old | 488 |
Remember, vigilance and adherence to these prevention guidelines are crucial in minimizing the spread of hand, foot, and mouth disease during the rainy season and beyond.