Preventing epidemics during back-to-school season

Proactive prevention

In recent days, schools in Ho Chi Minh City have been vigorously carrying out general cleaning and disinfection of schools and classrooms. Ms. Tran Be Hong Hanh, Principal of Nguyen Thai Hoc Primary School (District 1) said that before first graders returned to school (August 21), the school had disinfected all equipment and school supplies; the tree pots and playgrounds were trimmed, leaving no stagnant water to eliminate breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes; and disinfectants and hand soap were provided in classrooms and restrooms. The school has also organized training for catering staff, boarding staff, and teachers on infectious disease prevention skills since the summer.

Preschools also strictly follow the city and district's instructions on disease prevention, focusing on clearing trees and grass and cleaning classrooms. Ms. Phan Ngoc Han, Principal of Binh Hung Kindergarten (Binh Chanh District) said that the school was newly established and put into operation in the 2023-2024 school year, with a scale of 300 students, in which the staff, teachers, and nannies are all new, so improving disease prevention skills in the school is given special attention.

After each class, classrooms will be sprayed with mosquito repellent and toys will be thoroughly washed with soap to prevent dengue fever and hand, foot and mouth disease for children. “Parents will also accompany the school to explain in detail to children about the risks of spreading and the harmful effects of infectious diseases so that they can proactively prevent them,” said Ms. Ngoc Han.

Similarly, in secondary and high schools, from school and classroom disinfection to disease prevention training for staff, teachers and employees, everything has been done carefully and thoroughly to prevent the spread of disease in schools.

Respiratory tract infections, dengue fever, hand, foot and mouth disease… in Ho Chi Minh City continue to develop complicatedly. The time when students return to school is a favorable condition for these infectious diseases to spread and easily become epidemics.

Teachers at Binh Hung Kindergarten (Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City) clean the classrooms to prepare for the children's return to school. Photo: HOANG HUNG

Vaccination is the safest solution for children

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, through the infectious disease surveillance system, the city has recorded nearly 11,000 cases of dengue fever since the beginning of the year. Of the 224 cases being treated at the hospital level, there are 5 cases of invasive mechanical ventilation, all of which were transferred from other provinces and are being treated at the City Children's Hospital. Regarding hand, foot and mouth disease, there have been over 20,100 cases recorded, of which 330 cases (329 cases under 6 years old) are being treated at the hospital, with no deaths. Notably, since the beginning of the year, there has been an increase in the rate of children with hand, foot and mouth disease testing positive for the Enterovirus 71 strain, with many severe developments compared to previous years.

Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health Nguyen Van Vinh Chau noted that cases of hand, foot and mouth disease caused by Coxsackie A16 strain often have mild symptoms and can be cared for and treated at home. However, if infected with Enterovirus 71 strain, the disease will be more severe, with many dangerous complications such as encephalitis, meningitis, myocarditis, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, respiratory failure, circulatory failure, which can be fatal if not treated promptly.

The leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health affirmed that Ho Chi Minh City has been and is continuing to closely coordinate with the city's education sector and localities, directing schools to implement many preventive measures to limit the number of cases and cross-infection in schools. In addition, directing schools to continue to promote communication work, raise awareness among people and parents to limit the number of cases, and prevent schools from becoming outbreaks of dengue fever and hand, foot and mouth disease.

Epidemiologists also warn that at school age, students are at risk of contracting many infectious diseases, and can carry pathogens from school to home and vice versa. Associate Professor, Doctor, Doctor Phung Nguyen The Nguyen, Head of the Department of Pediatrics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, noted that parents need to combine many measures to protect and prevent infection from both inside and outside. The best solution to prevent disease in children is to vaccinate them.

Associate Professor, Dr. Phung Nguyen The Nguyen also noted that for schools, maintaining school and classroom hygiene and personal hygiene are very important conditions to help prevent epidemics. Every week, schools must disinfect areas at risk of mosquito outbreaks and clean up areas of stagnant water. Boarding areas for children must increase staff to clean, wash, and dry dishes and chopsticks, and regularly clean table and chair surfaces with soap and disinfectant. Children's seats must be arranged reasonably, ensuring appropriate distance between teachers and students and between students. There must be a full and varied nutritional regimen, such as encouraging children to drink enough water and keep their bodies warm, combined with supplementing nutrients for their immune systems.

According to Dr. Le Hong Nga, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control, students across the city are about to return to school, which is considered the second peak of hand, foot and mouth disease, dengue fever, etc. Schools and parents need to strictly implement measures to prevent infection in the community. The city regularly maintains vaccination points at health stations, health centers and some medical examination and treatment facilities for parents to bring their children to get the missing shots and booster shots to ensure the safety of children when entering the new school year.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/ngan-chan-dich-benh-mua-tuu-truong-post703112.html