The number of hand, foot and mouth disease cases has increased dramatically, but some hospitals in the West lack medicine to treat them, forcing many patients to be transferred to other hospitals.
In the first two weeks of June, Can Tho Children’s Hospital (which receives children from the Mekong Delta) treated nearly 400 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease. In May, the number of cases was 490, an increase of 140% compared to April. Since the beginning of the year, the number of cases treated is more than 2,400 from the locality and neighboring provinces.
Doctor Ong Huy Thanh, Deputy Director of the hospital, said that there are 11 cases of very severe level 3 and 4 disease being treated in the Intensive Care Unit; 5 other children in the Infection Unit are being closely monitored. Explaining the reason for the sudden increase in cases, Mr. Thanh said that this is the time of the disease season, and at the same time many children are infected with the E71 group of hand, foot and mouth virus, causing the disease to worsen quickly.
However, this unit is facing difficulties because Immunoglobulin - the main medicine for treating hand, foot and mouth disease - is running out. This medicine is purchased through bidding, but due to the sudden increase in the number of seriously ill children, the suppliers have not been able to cope. "Therefore, in the next 1-2 weeks, if the number of cases continues to increase without a source of medicine, it will be very difficult to receive and treat them," said Dr. Thanh.
A doctor examines a suspected case of hand, foot and mouth disease brought to Can Tho Children's Hospital on June 16. Photo: Huy Thanh
Similarly, in Ca Mau, hand, foot and mouth disease has also increased sharply. Doctor Pham Minh Pha, Deputy Director of the Provincial Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, said that since the beginning of the year, the hospital has received more than 150 cases (an increase of more than 400% compared to the same period last year). The number of pediatric patients increased sharply in January, then gradually decreased, and is currently showing an upward trend in May and June.
According to Mr. Pha, the current human resources and facilities are qualified to meet the treatment of hand, foot and mouth disease. However, the medical equipment and supplies are only temporarily sufficient, there is no ECMO system (artificial heart-lung) as well as some blood filtration supplies. In particular, specific treatment drugs such as Phenobarbital, intravenous immunoglobulin (for level 2b and above) are also "out of stock" due to the bidding process.
Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Director of the Department of Health of Ca Mau province, said that in the face of the complicated situation of hand, foot and mouth disease, the unit has directed the inspection of medical facilities regarding the level of readiness for emergency care, treatment of diseases as well as logistics, preparation of medicine and infusion.
A hand, foot and mouth disease case is being treated at the Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital of Ca Mau province. Photo: An Minh
Currently, the number of hand, foot and mouth disease cases in Ho Chi Minh City is also increasing sharply. The most worrying issue is that serious patients are transferred from other provinces and cities, while the source of medicine in the city is limited. In early June, the Department of Health requested the Drug Administration of the Ministry of Health to support the sourcing of medicine to treat hand, foot and mouth disease. The Ministry of Health then replied that the medicine would be available in July.
Specifically, There are currently 13 types of drugs containing Immunoglobulin that have been granted valid circulation registration certificates in Vietnam. Of these, Human normal immunoglobulin 100 mg still has 2,344 boxes of 250 ml and 215 boxes of 50 ml. It is expected that in mid-August, the drug manufacturer will supply Vietnam with 2,000 boxes of 250 ml.
There are currently 300 vials of Immunoglobulin 5% left at Cho Ray Hospital. It is expected that by the end of July, the drug manufacturer will supply about 5,000 to 6,000 vials.
In addition, the Drug Administration has granted permission to import Barbiturates - a drug that has not yet been registered for circulation in Vietnam - to meet special treatment needs. The drug manufacturer said it would supply 21,000 vials of the drug (Phenobarbital 200 mg/ml) in early July.
Thus, in early July, the supply of hand, foot and mouth disease treatment drugs will be greater, providing for Ho Chi Minh City as well as hospitals in the West.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is an acute viral infection, transmitted through the digestive tract, commonly found in children under 5 years old and has the potential to cause large epidemics. Typical signs of the disease are fever, sore throat, lesions of the oral mucosa and skin, mainly in the form of blisters commonly found on the palms, soles, knees, and buttocks. Most cases have a mild course. In some cases, the disease progresses severely and dangerous complications can lead to death. The disease needs to be detected early and treated promptly.
There is no vaccine to prevent this disease, no specific treatment, the Ministry of Health recommends that parents prevent the disease for their children by following the three cleans: clean food - clean living, clean hands and clean toys. At the same time, when detecting signs of suspected illness in children (blisters on hands, feet, mouth), they should take them to the doctor or immediately notify the nearest medical facility. Parents should keep their children home from school when they are sick to limit the spread to other children.
An Binh - An Minh
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