A sample of Enterovirus-71, or EV-71, is being tested for
mutation after it was found in the body of a toddler suspected of being the
first fatal case of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Thailand this
year.
Department of Medical Sciences spokesman Wattana U-wanich
said the agency is
testing for mutations of the virus as part of a normal procedure.
"The testing is a normal procedure because viruses are always changing and
evolving. Significant changes may make it easier for a person to get infected,"
Dr Wattana said.
The two-and-a-half-year girl died on Wednesday at Bangkok's Nopparat
Rajathanee Hospital.
A throat culture exhibited EV-71 but a lumbar puncture test and stool
examination did not reveal the strain.
The results will be submitted to the Department of Disease Control (DDC),
which will decide on the actions to be taken, Dr Wattana said.
Dr Wattana said EV-71 is not new to Thailand and a number of strains of HFMD
are known to cause serious complications, including heart and respiratory
problems.
EV-71 is one of the two most common causes of HFMD. The other virus is
Coxsackie A.
The toddler had showed no related symptoms of the disease, such as blisters
on the hands, feet and mouth or any rash. She suffered damage to her heart,
lungs and brain.
Pornthep Siriwanarangsan, DDC's director general, said the cause of the
girl's death will be discussed at a meeting on Wednesday.
He said that the media should not jump to any conclusions until the cause is
clearly established.
He urged the media to focus news coverage on vigilance against HFMD and
called on families to take children exhibiting symptoms to the hospital as soon
as possible to avoid serious complications.
"One lesson learned from this case is that the sooner a patient sees a
doctor, the better," he said.
Dr Pornthep also stressed that there was no need to panic following the
girl's death.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the HFMD situation is under
control.
Ms Yingluck said she was closely monitoring the outbreak of the disease and
had received no report of HFMD-related fatalities.
Meanwhile, health authorities across the country are stepping up vigilance
against an outbreak of the disease, especially at kindergartens and childcare
centres.
In Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district, people entering the country from Myanmar
are being screened for fever and advised to maintain personal hygiene to prevent
spreading HFMD.
In Phichit, health officials are conducting spot checks for HFMD at childcare
centres and kindergartens.
Children under five are being screened for fever and sent to the hospital if
they have high temperature, even if they have no mouth sores or rash.
In Ubon Ratchathani, Na Tan hospital yesterday reported three suspected cases
of HFMD.
Akaraphuchit Palanant, a doctor at the hospital, said the three children are
under observation and will have to undergo further screenings.
He also warned of a possible outbreak of swine flu, saying it tends to occur
during this time of the year.
Dr Akaraphuchit recommended following good hygiene practices such as
frequently washing hands, saying this was a really simple step that reduced the
risk of contracting the disease.
