Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreaks in cattle has affected children in Asia in recent months, says the World Health Organization.  

The hardest hit has been China with more than 1.2 million cases and over 350 deaths. Medical authorities in Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam have all reported cases mostly among children under the 10 years of age.
 

“We are seeing slightly high number of cases this year than has been the average in the past [in Thailand],” said Dr. Brent Burkholder, the World Health Organization's acting country representative in Thailand told Voice of America. "But we’re also seeing that in other countries in Southeast Asia. Singapore, Vietnam, and others have also reported that they are seeing more cases a bit higher than previously. So it’s not quite clear yet exactly why this might be. Sometimes it’s just increased reporting and sometimes it’s the cyclical nature of the viruses.”

Attention focused on Cambodia earlier this month when authorities reported up to 60 children dying from a ‘mysterious’ disease. Cambodia’s Ministry of Public Health and the WHO later issued a joint statement confirming hand, foot, and mouth disease claimed the lives of 54 children, said VOA.
 
Researchers believe that poor treatment is not the only reason for the virus’ increased lethality.
 
“These are viruses that pretty much circulate. These are viruses primarily. Kids pick them up,” said Vit Suwanvanichkij, a research associate with the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “Most of the time its really non-specific viral illness with a fever, may be some diarrhea, gastrointestinal bug and it goes away. [But] this year might have more attention to it because probably it’s more severe - it’s more concerning. ”
 
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has reported over 13,160 cases this year, the highest rate in over five years. In 2011, there were 18,000 cases for the whole year and six deaths. So far, one Thai child has died.

Authorities said some 60 schools across the country have reported outbreaks and tens of schools have been closed to halt the spread.
 
Medical authorities said the virus would probably remain active at least for another several weeks before the latest outbreaks across the region subside.

Mizzima News
26 July 2012