Plagues,
Pestilences and Diseases
Virus outbreak kills 81 children in Vietnam
By John Ruwitch | Reuters – Fri, 19 Aug, 2011
HANOI (Reuters) - Hand, foot and mouth disease, a dangerous
intestinal virus, has killed 81 children in Vietnam this year,
prompting the prime minister to order ministries and agencies to
redouble efforts to stop its spread.
The country recorded 32,588 cases of the disease this year, and
the deaths happened in 17 provinces and municipalities, mostly in
the southern region, a statement on the government's website said
late Thursday.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is relatively common among children,
characterized by a fever, sores in the mouth and blistery rashes.
There is no vaccine or cure, but patients usually recover in a
week without treatment. In severe cases, brain swelling can lead
to paralysis or death.
The disease was a "large danger to the health and lives of young
children," Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said in a statement. Yet
attempts to prevent it were ineffective, he said.
Dung ordered the Health Ministry to coordinate efforts to stop its
spread and stronger efforts to boost sanitary conditions in areas
with children.
The Vietnam News quoted the health ministry as saying the number
of casualties this year was "considerably high."
(Reporting by John Ruwitch; Editing by Jason Szep and Sanjeev
Miglani)