The number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in Ho Chi Minh City has jumped dramatically this year. Understanding the outbreak helps parents, teachers and caregivers protect children and keep daily life running smoothly.

Ho Chi Minh City has recorded 42,315 HFMD cases as of Oct 18, a 64.5 % rise from the same period last year. Health authorities also found 60 samples that tested positive for Enterovirus 71, a strain linked to severe illness.

Children under five make up 87.3 % of all cases nationwide, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC). The risk of transmission rises as children return to school and childcare facilities, where the virus can spread through close contact and contaminated surfaces.

HCDC recommends three simple hygiene principles: keep food and drinking water clean, maintain clean living and learning environments, and wash hands regularly with soap and clean water. A vaccine against EV71 is available for children aged six months to five years, given in two doses at least one month apart.

The outbreak shows how quickly HFMD can affect young children and their families, but following the hygiene rules and vaccinating eligible kids can greatly reduce the danger. Staying informed and acting early is the best way to keep schools safe.