The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said on the 10th that the number of hand, foot and mouth disease patients has doubled in the past month. Hand, foot and mouth disease mainly occurs in infants and young children. Blisters form in the mouth and on the hands and feet, and symptoms such as fever, sore throat and loss of appetite appear.
According to the disease agency, the proportion of suspected hand, foot and mouth disease patients in week 27 this year (patients suspected of hand, foot and mouth disease per 1,000 outpatients) is 19.4. This is 2.2 times higher than in week 24 (8.9). The proportion of suspected hand, foot and mouth disease patients ages 0 to 6 is 27.2.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is an acute viral illness that occurs frequently from summer to fall. Most people recover after 7 to 10 days, but complications such as meningitis and encephalitis can rarely occur. If hand, foot and mouth disease symptoms worsen, you should visit a medical institution for care.
Hand, foot and mouth disease spreads through the saliva, phlegm and nasal discharge of infected people. The best way to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease is to practice good personal hygiene and keep the surrounding environment clean. Because hand, foot and mouth disease is highly contagious, it is best to refrain from visiting child care facilities, schools, kids' cafes and swimming pools until fully recovered.
Im Seung-gwan, commissioner of the disease agency, said, "Child care facilities and schools must strictly manage proper handwashing and disinfection of items," and "guidance is needed so that infants, young children and students who have contracted hand, foot and mouth disease can return only after they have fully recovered."