Abstract
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a communicable disease caused by a virus that
infects mostly preschool children. In 2006, there were 3,961 cases and seven deaths in
Thailand; Nakhon Ratchasima Province had 85 cases and 3 deaths. Enterovirus 71 was
the causative pathogen. This descriptive study conducted at Chumphuang District,
Nakhon Ratchasima Province during the period from 2002 to September 30, 2007, used
individual disease investigation forms, outpatient and inpatient records and the midyear
population data of the Ministry of Interior. There were 47 cases, no deaths, 31 males
and 16 females among them; the sex ratio was 1.9:1. Most of them were found during
June to October. Forty were treated as outpatients and only seven were admitted to the
hospital. Fever, and palm and sole rash were the common symptoms; most patients were
from Chumphuang Tambon, and no case was detected at Nontoom Tambon; only one
patient was found in each village. Stool and paired serum samples were derived from
93.62 percent of the patients and Enterovirus 71 was isolated from two stool specimens in
2006 and 2007. According to the disease surveillance system, primary health-care staff
should be trained to screen and refer the suspects to hospitals, viral isolation should be
supported and promoted among the health-care services. The disease-control measures
should emphasize community health education and the isolation of patients from other
children either in school or in child-care centers.
