The Ministry of Health (Minsa) , through the National Center for Epidemiology, Disease Prevention and Control (CDC Peru) issues an epidemiological alert on the occurrence of outbreaks of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in the country due to high risk extension of cases and increase in the magnitude of existing outbreaks.

The CDC Peru reported that since March 30, 2022 (epidemiological week 13), outbreaks related to hand-foot-and-mouth disease have been reported in four regions of Peru: Ucayali (120 reported cases), San Martin ( 15 reported cases), Huánuco (9 reported cases) and Amazonas (21 reported cases).

HFMD is caused by a group of enteroviruses, of which coxsackie A16 and enterovirus-71 stand out, although coxsackie A6 and coxsackie A10 have recently been added.

The CDC Peru detailed that this hand, foot and mouth disease is viral and contagious, and mainly affects children under 5 to 7 years of age, and could occur exceptionally in adults. In addition, its name is descriptive for presenting fever, mouth ulcers and exanthema (maculopapular and/or vesicular rash on the hands, feet and buttock folds). Even with flu-like symptoms such as malaise, sore throat, nasal congestion, among others.

Read more...