Dr. Pornthep
Siriwanarangsun, director-general of Thailand’s Disease Prevention and
Control Department, visits the Khao Maikaew children’s center to give
administrators tips on preventing the spread of Hand, Foot and Mouth
disease.
The director-general
of Thailand’s Disease Prevention and Control Department visited a Khao
Maikaew children’s center to give administrators tips on preventing the
spread of hand, foot and mouth disease.
Dr. Pornthep Siriwanarangsun called on the Children
Development Center July 18 to discuss how the department is spreading
its prevention message and how teachers can detect and report any
outbreaks.
A Cambodian child living in Rayong was the second
reported victim of the HFMD outbreak in Thailand that infected more than
16,800 people and prompted the closing of dozens of schools in Bangkok.
Rayong Gov. Senee Jittakasem was informed of the
death of 2-year-old Kimha, and said major “public hygiene” operations
are now planned.
During his visit, Pornthep said the department is
working closely with schools and orphanages to quell the outbreak,
spreading the message through various media.
He also urged center staffers to watch pupils
closely, reporting any suspicious symptoms, such as rash or red spots,
immediately. The Rayong youngster had been examined twice at a local
clinic before dying two hours after being admitted to Klaeng Hospital
July 26.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common viral
illness that usually affects infants and children younger than 5 years
old. However, it can sometimes occur in adults. Symptoms include fever,
blister-like sores in the mouth, and a skin rash. The disease is caused
by viruses that belong to the Enterovirus group, which includes polio
viruses, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, and enteroviruses. The current
outbreak is caused by Enterovirus 71.
Those who suspect they are infected should contact a
local hospital or the Public Health Ministry at 1442 or Disease Control
and Prevention Department at 02-590-3333. (CPRD)
