The director-general of Thailand’s Disease Prevention and Control Department visited a Khao Maikaew children’s center to give administrators tips on preventing the spread of hand, foot and mouth disease.
Dr. Pornthep Siriwanarangsun called on the Children Development Center July 18 to discuss how the department is spreading its prevention message and how teachers can detect and report any outbreaks.
Dr. Pornthep Siriwanarangsun, director-general of Thailand’s Disease Prevention and Control Department, visits the Khao Maikaew children’s center to give administrators tips on preventing the spread of Hand, Foot and Mouth disease.
A Cambodian child living in Rayong was the second reported victim of the HFMD outbreak in Thailand that infected more than 16,800 people and prompted the closing of dozens of schools in Bangkok.
Rayong Gov. Senee Jittakasem was informed of the death of 2-year-old Kimha, and said major “public hygiene” operations are now planned.
During his visit, Pornthep said the department is working closely with schools and orphanages to quell the outbreak, spreading the message through various media.
He also urged center staffers to watch pupils closely, reporting any suspicious symptoms, such as rash or red spots, immediately. The Rayong youngster had been examined twice at a local clinic before dying two hours after being admitted to Klaeng Hospital July 26.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common viral illness that usually affects infants and children younger than 5 years old. However, it can sometimes occur in adults. Symptoms include fever, blister-like sores in the mouth, and a skin rash. The disease is caused by viruses that belong to the Enterovirus group, which includes polio viruses, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, and enteroviruses. The current outbreak is caused by Enterovirus 71.
Those who suspect they are infected should contact a local hospital or the Public Health Ministry at 1442 or Disease Control and Prevention Department at 02-590-3333.
