Vietnam logs over 68,000 HFMD cases in year to date: health ministry

Up to 68,096 hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) cases have been reported in Vietnam so far this year, soaring 52 percent over the same period last year, according to data from the Ministry of Health. The death toll due to HFMD reached 18 during the given period, up 15 cases year on year. In the 33rd epidemiological week (August 14-20), the country saw 5,727 HFMD cases and no deaths, falling 12 percent against the previous week. Total HFMD infections in Hanoi have reached 1,169, as recorded since the beginning of the year, down almost 100 cases year over year, despite 36 HFMD clusters. Health experts said that most HFMD infections in Vietnam were caused by the Enterovirus 71 (EV71) and Coxsackie A16 strains.