Preventing Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Outbreaks in Educational Institutions during the Rainy Season

2024-07-04 10:35:00

“Department of Disease Control” Disease warning “Hands, feet, mouth” Disease outbreaks that come with the rainy season as well as recommendations for educational institutions to screen and observe the symptoms of young children before they go to school Emphasis on prevention methods

Date: 4 July 2024 Dr. Thongchai Hatthayakorn Director General of the Department of Disease Control said that the weather has changed during this period. Due to entering the rainy season which facilitates the outbreak of various germs Hand, foot and mouth disease in particular, as well as educational institutions opening classes as usual. Children may participate in group activities. This creates a risk of spreading infection. This disease tends to have the highest morbidity rate among young children and school-aged children. Especially children under 5 years of age.

Although the virus can spread easily from contact with mucus, saliva, fluid in blisters, wounds, or from touching toys. shared equipment or containers Therefore, educational institutions should have measures to screen and observe children’s signs before entering the school each morning. Monitor hand, foot and mouth diseases If children are found to be at risk, they can prevent the spread to other children.

Regarding the situation of hand-foot-mouth disease Data from the Epidemiology Division, Department of Disease Control, from 1 January – 29 June 2024, found a total of 23,143 cumulative cases, with 1 death The three highest age groups with the highest rate of illness per 100,000 people than newborns-4. year, with 16,732 patients found, followed by 5,597 cases in the age group 5-9 years and 488 cases in the age group 10-14 years Phuket (110.63) is the top five provinces with the highest rate of illness per 100,000 people . Chiang Rai (97.60), Chonburi (83.55), Phatthalung (82.40) and Saraburi (67.79), respectively.

Regarding the symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease, most infected people may show no symptoms or have only mild symptoms, such as low-grade fever, fatigue, sore throat, and mouth pain in young children through refusal eating or drooling. Along with a rash or small blisters of clear fluid. It grows on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, torso, buttocks There are blisters in the mouth, soft palate, cheeks, and tongue Later, the blisters burst into shallow wounds. Most of the symptoms will subside and disappear on their own within 7-10 days If the symptoms do not improve, such as high fever, eating very little food and water, lethargy, convulsions, breathing labored, and excessive vomiting, the patient should be. take to the doctor as soon as possible. And may die as a result of complications.

Dr. Apichat Vachiraphan, Deputy Director General of the Department of Disease Control stressed that parents and educational institutions should observe children’s symptoms closely and regularly, and educational institutions or daycare centers should follow the recommendations for disease hand, foot and mouth prevention as follows:

1. Rigorously screen children before entering school each morning.

2. Ask the children to wash their hands often. with soap and water (Alcohol gel cannot kill this virus) before and after eating. After going to the bathroom and playing with toys

3. Regularly clean tools, toys, and areas that children use together.

4. If the educational institution finds a sick child Separate them from normal children and inform their parents to take them home to take them to the doctor. Also the children stop studying until they succeed. Separate sick children’s personal items from normal children’s items. Clean with a general cleaning solution or disinfectant. and put it in the sun to dry Avoid contact with other children. Avoid going to crowded communities or places.

However, if a cluster of outbreaks of hand, foot and mouth disease is detected Local public health officials should be notified for further investigation and disease control. For more information, call the Department of Disease Control hotline, call 1422.