Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Kills 70 in Vietman, Mostly Children

Posted on July 29, 2011

A new report says hand, foot and mouth disease has killed at least 70 people in Vietnam. Most of the those who have died have been children under the age 5. This is an increase from a report last week that said 56 people have died from the disease. There have been over 20,000 cases in recent months and as many as 2,000 new patients each week.

A report in the English edition of Saigon Giai Phong says the outbreak is being blamed on a new etiological agent, Enterovirus 71 (EV-71). The virus causes severe complications, including paralysis and brain swelling.

Hand, foot and mouth disease hits Vietnam each year and kills about 20 to 30 children. The numbers this year are much higher.

HEALTH