HFMD cases surge 71% in a week, raising alarm for young children

Hand, foot and mouth disease, which causes blisters on the hands, feet and inside the mouth, is spreading rapidly among infants and young children.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the suspected HFMD patient rate during the 23rd week of this year (May 31–June 6) stood at 7.2 per 1,000 patients across 109 sentinel surveillance medical institutions nationwide.

That figure represents a 71.4 percent jump from 4.2 per 1,000 the previous week and more than doubles the 3.4 per 1,000 recorded during the same period last year.

The suspected HFMD patient rate has consistently risen since the 19th week of this year, in early May, when it stood at 1.1 per 1,000.

The increase has been especially pronounced among young children. The rate for those aged 0 to 6 surged from 1.6 per 1,000 in the 19th week to 10.0 per 1,000 in the 23rd week.

HFMD is caused by enteroviruses and can spread through direct contact with an infected person's feces, saliva or nasal discharge, or by touching contaminated objects.

Key symptoms include blister-like rashes on the hands, feet and inside the mouth, along with fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting. Most patients begin to improve within a few days and recover within a week, but rare complications such as meningitis or encephalitis are possible and warrant close attention.

The KDCA said case numbers are likely to continue rising, noting that HFMD typically begins circulating in May each year and peaks between June and September.

To prevent infection, the agency recommends washing hands thoroughly with soap after going outside, before and after meals, and before and after changing diapers. Clothing or items soiled by an infected child's waste should be laundered thoroughly.

Infected infants and young children are highly contagious while symptomatic and should stay home from daycare centers and kindergartens until they recover. Childcare facilities are also advised to disinfect toys, play equipment and other surfaces children frequently touch.

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