VietNamNet Bridge – There have been 29,400 cases of hand-foot-mouth disease reported in the northern region, accounting for 42 percent of the cases in the country and the highest number of any region in the nation, according to the Ministry of Health.

Bac Kan, Haiphong, Danang, Yen Bai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Hoa Binh, Lao Cai, Lang Son, Dong Thap and Vinh Phuc provinces have recorded the highest infection rate per 100,000 people.

Lang Son has so far confirmed over 1,000 cases, 1.5 times more than in the same period last year. The epidemic has hit Cao Loc and Huu Lung and no deaths have been reported.

The healthcare sector in Bac Kan has organized training courses for staff to improve the monitoring and reporting system so the situation can be handled quickly and effectively.

Bac Kan has also purchased medicine and sanitizing chemicals for all schools in the province to prevent the disease further spreading when the new school year begins in late August.

By now, Vietnam has seen 69,500 cases of hand-foot-mouth disease in 63 cities and provinces across the country, including 38 fatalities.   

VietNamNet/VOV