Increase in hand, foot, and mouth disease cases nationwide

Since the beginning of 2026, the country has recorded nearly 25,094 cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease, with the Southern region accounting for 71.9% (18,031 cases). The disease primarily affects children under 10 years old (99.3%), especially those aged 1 to 5 attending daycares and kindergartens (accounting for 92.7%). In response to this situation, the General Department of Preventive Medicine has requested provincial and municipal Departments of Health to urgently implement preventive measures while remaining fully prepared to respond to dengue fever outbreaks. One of the most urgent tasks currently is to strictly enforce food safety controls at school boarding kitchens.

Warning on the new SARS-CoV-2 variant BA.3.2

The Vietnamese health sector has recently recorded the appearance of the BA.3.2 sub-variant, belonging to the Omicron lineage of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. According to reports, this variant was first detected in South Africa and has now spread to more than 20 countries worldwide. For proactive prevention, the Hanoi Department of Health recommends that people continue the habit of wearing masks at medical facilities and in public places. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as coughing, fever, or respiratory infections should voluntarily limit physical contact to prevent community transmission. Additionally, it is essential to frequently wash hands with soap or hand sanitizer and regularly clean commonly touched surfaces.

Center for Support & Continuing Education