Dak Lak records 2-year-old child death due to hand, foot and mouth disease

This is the fourth death from this disease since the beginning of 2023 to November 13 in the area.

The deceased child was LVTE (male, born in 2021, residing in Ia Lop commune, Ea Sup district). According to the patient's family, on November 11, the child had a continuous high fever, startled sleep, blisters on the soles of the feet, and mouth ulcers. The family took the child to the doctor and gave him medicine for a day. On November 12, the child walked unsteadily, had a continuous high fever, ate poorly, had cold hands and feet, and slept lethargically. The family took the child to the Ea Sup District Medical Center for a checkup and was hospitalized. On the same day, the child was transferred to the Central Highlands General Hospital.

At the Central Highlands General Hospital, the child was admitted to the Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in a lethargic state, with pale lips, cold extremities, many small erythematous rashes on the soles of the feet, and many ulcers in the throat. Doctors diagnosed the child with grade IV respiratory failure; grade IV hand, foot, and mouth disease; sepsis; gastrointestinal bleeding; acute pulmonary edema. At 4:40 a.m. on November 13, the child was in a deep coma, with purple lips and died with a diagnosis of acute myocarditis; acute pulmonary edema; grade IV hand, foot, and mouth disease; sepsis; gastrointestinal bleeding.

According to Director of Dak Lak Province Center for Disease Control Hoang Hai Phuc, as soon as receiving the information, the Center investigated the epidemiological factors of the case and notified the Ea Sup District Medical Center; at the same time, provided instructions on measures to investigate and handle the environment.

The Dak Lak Provincial Center for Disease Control recommends that the Central Highlands Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology continue to provide technical guidance and support the province in testing and diagnosing cases. The Department of Health directs medical units across the sector to monitor, track, detect and be vigilant against hand, foot and mouth disease; strengthen communication to the public on how to recognize the disease and proactive measures to prevent and control the disease according to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health.

As of November 13, Dak Lak province recorded 1,995 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease. Of which, Buon Ma Thuot city, Krong Pak, Cu M'gar, Buon Ho districts... have a high number of cases.