Health officials monitor spreading hand, foot, mouth disease

BANGKOK: -- Health officials are closely monitoring the current spread of hand, foot and mouth disease after nearly 5,000 persons—over 90 per cent children less than age five—contracted the disease during the first eight months of this year, according to Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nop-amornbodi.

As the country is now experiencing the rainy season, children under 10 could easily contract the disease, said Mr. Manit.

The ministry’s Bureau of Epidemiology has reported that three persons died and 4,859 others nationwide suffered from the disease during the first eight months this year, he said.

Children under five—92 per cent of all patients--lack immunity from many diseases, he said.

Mr. Manit said the ministry had notified the Ministry of Education Ministry, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and related agencies asking that child care centres and primary schools throughout the country keep their premises clean and that children be inspected before entering classes in order to prevent the disease from spreading.

-- TNA 2009-09-13

They should inform the public on how to inspect their own children BEFORE they send them to daycare or school. Bass Ackwards, they are.

Is the monitor spreading it?

Or do they mean they are monitoring the spread of?

Informing the public of the symptoms in such press releases could help, clearly that one slipped past them.

Argh. I can see the public health folks ripping their hair out on this report. They do provide pointers. They do provide prevention tips. Sadly, the media doesn't focus on that. Moonrakers got it right.

After headlice and colds, this tenacious virus is a frequent visitor of classrooms and daycare centers everywhere. It's nothing serious as a disease. However, prevntion of its spread follows that of the flu. Hand washing, disinfection of surfaces and avoidance of close contact.

If the prevention regime can't be followed for this, just imagine what happens when flu season starts up again. That's the aspect that should concern people.

My youngest's school has just closed as they all have this disease.

Since rainy season is over (no blame there), the monitoring, suggestions, etc must not have reached your school due to the post that was lost in last train derailment due to rails being washed out by rain. Sorry I was wrong, those natural occurrences (rain) are the culprit.

My son came down with this. He is 3 and in an international K1 program. Had small blisters appear on his fingers and toes, and mouth hurt for a couple days. Learned that its not particularly serious, but is very contagious. Inspect your children every day. They may be carrying things (Ewoks, corrupt Thaksin ideas, etc).

Since rainy season is over (no blame there), the monitoring, suggestions, etc must not have reached your school due to the post that was lost in last train derailment due to rails being washed out by rain. Sorry I was wrong, those natural occurrences (rain) are the culprit.

Ah, but it was the farang-engineers, who built the railway in the wrong place !

It is a pity the health officials can't do something about the foot in mouth disease that is rife in many parts of the political class in Thailand.