The boy was a sporadic case of hand, foot and mouth disease complicated by severe adenovirus infection resulting in death. So far this year, the number of cases of hand, foot and mouth disease notified is 713, with Enterovirus as the causative agent. Enterovirus 71 was isolated in one case. All cases were mild and had recovered fully. The rise in the number of notifications is the result of increased public awareness of the disease and increased reporting by medical practitioners.
Young children are most susceptible.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is spread through the faecal-oral and respiratory routes. Transmission of enterovirus infections is increased by poor hygiene and overcrowded living conditions. To reduce the risk of transmission, family members of a child with hand, foot and mouth disease should practise a high standard of hygiene. The majority of hand, foot and mouth cases are mild and the children usually recover fully from the disease. Occasionally, severe complications of the heart or nervous system occur.