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Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD)

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a viral disease caused by Enterovirus 71 (EV71) Coxsackie virus A16. The infectious disease mainly affects humans, especially children aged 10 years and below. It is mainly transmitted from an infected person to a healthy one through body fluids such as sputum, saliva, blister fluids, and mucus. The virus is spread through sneezing, coughing, or getting in contact with infected fluids or stool (Sarma Web). Severe outbreaks have been reported in Yunnan Province of China and other Asian regions, with some cases being fatal.

The incubation period of the disease is six days, after which the symptoms start manifesting in the patient. The symptoms of HFMD include sores on the feet, hands, legs, buttocks, and mouth ulcers after two days of infection. There is also the onset of fever of about 38°C to 39°C, sore throat, cough, loss of appetite, and malaise. Non-itchy rashes often red and fluid-filled also develop on the limbs, buttocks, elbows, and groin. On rare occasions, the virus infects the spinal cord and brain causing encephalitis, confusion, weakness, seizures, unsteadiness, and viral meningitis.

HFMD is usually diagnosed by close examination of the patient for visible symptoms on the body since there are no tests involved. The symptoms are usually mild and self-resolving, but antibiotics and painkillers are administered to ease pain and discomfort. There is no definite treatment for HFMD since the disease occurs in acute conditions and very rare severe cases. Disease prevention methods include observing proper personal hygiene since the virus is spread through contaminated body parts and surfaces. Thorough cleaning of surfaces and hands with soap and water after handling contaminated fluids or persons, avoiding sharing personal items, and teaching children to observe hygiene are some of the measures that can curb HFMD (Sarma Web).

Rampant cases of HFMD have been reported in Yunnan every year. In 2008, 113 cases were reported to have occurred caused by intestinal EV71. 56 of the cases occurred in Kunming, and others were reported to occur in various regions such as Honghe, Chuxiong, Lincang, Yuxi, Dali, Zhaotong, and Baoshan. However, no deaths were reported since HFMD has low fatality rates despite the high infection rate. In 2011, the cases of HFMD in Yunnan increased with many deaths being reported to have increased with 1300% from the previous year. The numbers of cases in Yunnan Province were ranked third in China, and the number of deaths was the highest in the country. In Kunming, the number of cases reported between 1 January and 20 April 2011 was 2589, which was a 93% increase in incidences as compared to the same period in 2010.

Following the rampant outbreaks, Yunnan Provincial health department put forward stringent measures to curb the spread of HFMD. They include early detection and treatment of the disease to reduce transmission; strengthening prevention and control strategies in medical institutions; carrying out investigations and strengthening surveillance reports on the outbreaks, and carrying out campaigns to promote personal hygiene in homes and schools.

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is an infectious disease affecting young children that often manifests in acute symptoms that disappear after a few days. Severe cases have been reported to occur in Asia, particularly in Yunnan Province of China. Proper personal hygiene is the key to preventing the disease since there is no known cure, and chronic cases could cause viral meningitis and encephalitis in the brain. However, painkillers are used to manage acute pain episodes and discomfort (Sarma Web).

Work Cited

Sarma, Nilendu. Relapse of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease: Are We at More Risk? Indian Journal of Dermatology 58. 2 (2013): 78–79. Web. 26 March 2014.