Ranong on alert for HFMD after sick Myanmar children hospitalized

BANGKOK, July 21 (TNA) - Thailand’s southern Ranong province is now on high alert for the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) after a sick girl from Myanmar’s Kaw Thaung province has crossed into Thai soil to seek treatment. The Myanmar girl was brought to a clinic in Ranong by their parents who said their three-year-old daughter had fever and small transparent bumps in her mouth and on her body, which are common symptoms of the HFMD. According to the parents, the doctor did not confirm whether the girl has contracted the HFMD, saying only that the Myanmar girl has been infected with a virus and she should recover within 5-7 days. So far, the Thai Ministry or Public Health has not been confirmed by Myanmar authorities about any outbreak of the HFMD in the neighbouring country. However, strict surveillance along the Thai-Myanmar border has been imposed to monitor the HFMD situation. Ranong's provincial public health office has also worked closely with public health agencies in Myanmar’s Kaw Thaung province to prevent any outbreak of cross border diseases, including the HFMD. A total of 39 patients in Ranong have been infected with HFMD since January 2012. In July alone, the southern Thai province recorded 7 HFMD cases. In another development, a video conference was held Satruday between Chiang Mai's provincial public health office and 25 local hospitals to follow up the HFMD updated situation in the northern Thai province. Chiang Mai has recently been hit by a HFMD outbreak, with over 100 people having been admitted to hospitals in the first two weeks of July while four local schools have been closed temporarily. (TNA)