GENEVA: The deadly disease plaguing Cambodia recently was caused by a severe form of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), an infectious disease among infants and children.
A joint press communique issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Cambodian Ministry of Health said an investigation by the Cambodian government and health partners identified a total of 78 cases but were unable to test all patients as some had died before samples could be taken.
A majority of the samples taken from 31 patients tested positive for Enterovirus 71 (EV-71) which leads to HFMD. A small proportion of samples tested positive for other pathogens including Haemophilus Influenzae type B and Streptococcus suis, Xinhua news agency reported. Most of the cases involved those under three years old, with some suffering from chronic conditions and malnutrition.
The cases were found in 14 different provinces with many patients having been given steroids at some point during their illness. Unfortunately, investigation finds steroid use has worsened the condition of patients with EV-71.
The Cambodian government with support from the WHO has begun enhanced surveillance for neuro-respiratory syndrome, a key syndrome observed among patients with severe HFMD caused by EV-71. Health centres have also been instructed to report patients with mild HFMD
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