Hand, foot and mouth disease in Guangdong Province, China

Compared to last year, there has been a major decrease in reported cases of hand, foot and mouth disease across the province. As of May 22nd, the province reported a total of 57,554 cases and 2 deaths, while there were 112,708 cases during the same time period last year. The cause in most of the patients is the virus called enterovirus 71, which may cause serious illness.

Advice

The risk of exposure will vary from place to place. Small children are most susceptible to infection with this virus. Travellers who are travelling with small children can decrease the risk of exposure to hand, foot and mouth disease virus by washing hands frequently and by maintaining careful personal hygiene.