Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral illness most commonly
seen in children under age 11, in the United States. In the U.S., cases peak
from spring through fall. It is a mild illness, with fever, mouth sores and a
blistering rash. Yet, the same illness in Asia has killed hundreds so far this
year.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is
a catch-all name for illnesses caused by a number of viruses. In the United
States, it is typically caused by coxsackie virus A16 and enterovirus 71 . Other,
related viruses can also produce the HFMD, which means that patients can catch
the disease more than once through different viral infections.
The coxsackie virus A16 version
of hand, foot and mouth disease is the mildest. Patients can recover in seven
to ten days and some patients have no symptoms at all. On rare occasions, the
virus can produce severe or life threatening HFMD, including encephalitis.
There is no vaccine and treatment is supportive, fever and pain reduction
medication and hydration.
Enterovirus 71 is the primary
cause of hand, foot, and mouth disease in East and Southeast Asia. The vast
majority of those infected recover without incident but the rate of serious and
fatal outcomes is much higher with this virus. The World Health Organization
(WHO) states:
HFMD caused by EV71 has
been associated with meningitis and encephalitis, and on occasion can cause
severe complications, including neurological, cardiovascular and respiratory
problems. Cases of fatal EV71 encephalitis have occurred during outbreaks.
AFP is reporting today that
the public health
authorities in Hunan Province, China, are urging parents to
seek care for children with hand, foot, and mouth disease. The authorities are
reporting 112 deaths last month from the illness. The number of cases continues
to increase.
WHO data shows that 890,000 cases of HFMD were
reported by China in the first five months of the year. 244 deaths related to
these illness have been noted through the end of May. China's case count is
more than double the number of HFMD cases for the same five months in 2011.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is not one of
the illnesses that are reportable to the CDC by law. HFMD is moderately
contagious and is spread through contact with the sores, and nose and throat
secretions. The CDC stresses prevention,
especially handwashing, as well as proper
disinfection of exposed surfaces including toys.
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