Hanoi Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Cases Reach 5,727 in Early 2026
Hanoi has recorded 5,727 cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease since the beginning of the year, with zero deaths reported, vietnam.vn reported. The viral illness has spread across 126 communes and districts throughout the city. Children under five years old, particularly toddlers under three, make up the primary demographic affected by the outbreak in densely populated environments.
Transmission Pathways and Clinical Symptoms
Hand, foot, and mouth disease stems from enteroviruses. The virus transmits through respiratory secretions, saliva, fluid from blisters, and stool from infected individuals, as well as via contaminated objects and surfaces. Typical clinical signs include fever, stomatitis, oral pain, difficulty eating and drinking, and fluid-filled blisters on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Most pediatric patients experience mild symptoms that families can manage at home under medical guidance.
Hospitalization Triggers and Dangerous Warning Signs
The illness can progress quickly, requiring close monitoring by parents and caregivers. According to health authorities, children must go to a hospital if a fever of 39°C or higher persists for more than two days and resists standard fever-reducing medication. Parents must also watch for sudden startling movements or muscle spasms while the child sleeps or lies on their back, along with tremors, limb muscle weakness, and an unsteady gait.
Prohibited Home Treatments and Hygiene Protocols
Caregivers must avoid bursting blisters, applying traditional herbal remedies, using unverified medications, or self-prescribing antibiotics. Antibiotics are ineffective against the viruses that cause hand, foot, and mouth disease and require a doctor’s prescription. Daily hygiene routines are essential to keep skin and lesion areas clean and prevent secondary infections. Adults must wash their hands thoroughly with soap and clean water before preparing food, feeding children, handling childcare duties, and changing diapers. Regular cleaning is necessary for frequently touched surfaces such as toys, utensils, doorknobs, and tables.
School Monitoring and Re-Infection Risks
Families must keep children with suspected symptoms at home, notify schools, and seek medical evaluations. Schools must monitor the health status of other children who had contact with an infected student, while preschools must step up sanitation for hands, toys, teaching tools, and classroom surfaces. Because hand, foot, and mouth disease stems from multiple viral strains, children who have already recovered from the illness can contract it again, making personal and environmental hygiene critical to stopping further spread.
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