Sinovac Biotech Ltd (SVA)

[Belugas]

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) is using Chanthaburi as a pilot province for a campaign against hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) after more infections were found compared to last year.

DDC Spokesperson Dr Supamit Chunsuttiwat paid a visit to the child development center of Tambon Phlio, Laem Sing district, Chanthaburi province, to preside over the launch of an HFMD prevention campaign. Under the project, local childcare centers, kindergartens and communities will collaborate to instill hygienic habits among children and keep an eye out for HFMD infections.

As the rainy season had arrived, Dr Supamit warned that the cool, humid condition was conducive to the growth of HFMD virus, whereas children were more susceptible to the disease due to a weaker immune system. Therefore, he indicated an urgent need to implement preventive measures.

Caregivers and teachers are being encouraged to make sure that children under their supervision wash their hands regularly and refrain from sharing personal belongings. If a child is found to have HFMD symptoms, he or she should be separated from the others immediately and be allowed time to fully recuperate at home.

Based on the statistics from the Bureau of Epidemiology, from January 1 to June 22 this year, almost 20,000 HFMD cases have been found across the country, an increase of 16 percent from the same period of last year. Most of the patients were in the age range of 1-3 years. The infection rate is expected to continue rising. - See more at: http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/newsen/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNSOC5707010010013#sthash.9qMVPE6J.dpuf