Health officials closely monitor foot and mouth disease

BANGKOK: -- Public health officials nationwide have been instructed to be vigilant for the possible spread of new cases of foot and mouth disease after a victim of the condition was found last week, according to Dr. Praj Boonyawongvirot, permanent secretary for Public Health.

The victim of the disease was found on January 10 at a preschool-child-care center in the northeastern province of Yasothon and sent to a local hospital for treatment. The center was then closed for five days to make sure that children there did not carry the disease. The victim has recovered and has returned home.

A total of 3,156 persons nationwide were found to have carried the deadly disease between January 1, 2006 and December 23, 2006 and four died, according to Dr. Praj.

He said the viral disease usually broke out between the rainy and early winter seasons. Common symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache and swollen skin, especially on hands, feet and the buttocks.

So far there is no medicine that can cure the disease effectively and victims may die from complications, he said.

--TNA 2007-01-14

Is that HAND foot and mouth? I think that foot and mouth affects cattle and pigs

Foot in Mouth disease is very common with government officials,

as this news section frequently shows.