Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in Young Children Doubles in a Week... "Handwashing and Hygiene Are Crucial"

KDCA: 8.3 Suspected Cases per 1,000 Children Under Age 6
Children with Symptoms Should Refrain from Attending Childcare Centers

As cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease have recently increased, health authorities have urged households with young children and childcare centers to strictly adhere to hygiene guidelines, such as frequent handwashing.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on June 27, the number of suspected hand, foot, and mouth disease cases per 1,000 outpatients during the third week of June (week 25) was 5.8, more than double the previous week’s figure (2.7), and nearly triple the number from two weeks prior (2.0).

In particular, among children under the age of six, the rate of suspected cases increased from 3.7 per 1,000 outpatients in week 24 to 8.3 in week 25, which is higher than the rate among those aged 7 to 18 during the same period (0.7 to 1.9).

The KDCA expects the number of cases to continue rising for the time being, considering that hand, foot, and mouth disease typically begins to increase in May each year and occurs most frequently between June and September.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is an acute viral illness caused by enteroviruses. It is transmitted through direct contact with an infected person's feces or bodily fluids (such as saliva, phlegm, nasal discharge, or fluid from blisters), or by touching objects contaminated with these substances. The main symptoms include blister-like rashes on the hands, feet, and inside the mouth, as well as fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting.

To prevent hand, foot, and mouth disease, it is essential to practice thorough hygiene, such as washing hands after going outside, before and after meals, after changing diapers, and after caring for a patient. Clothing contaminated with bodily fluids should be washed thoroughly.

Symptoms usually improve after three to four days and most patients recover within seven to ten days. However, in rare cases, complications such as meningitis or encephalitis may occur. Therefore, if hand, foot, and mouth disease is suspected, prompt medical attention should be sought. It is also important to avoid using shared facilities and to wash and disinfect items used by patients.

At childcare centers and kindergartens, it is crucial to thoroughly disinfect frequently touched items such as toys, play equipment, and door handles, and to instruct young children to follow personal preventive measures such as handwashing. Because children with hand, foot, and mouth disease are highly contagious while symptomatic, they should refrain from attending childcare centers or kindergartens until they have fully recovered.

KDCA Commissioner Jee Youngmee emphasized, "To prevent hand, foot, and mouth disease, it is important to follow preventive measures such as proper handwashing. In particular, childcare facilities should ensure strict hygiene management, including handwashing and disinfection of items, and guide that children who contract hand, foot, and mouth disease should return only after they have fully recovered."