The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is ordering schools in the capital to follow preventive measures for hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and dengue fever since the viruses have become widespread among school kids.
Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt yesterday presided over an event at Wichuthit School in Din Daeng district to promote hygiene and virus prevention in schools.
He said the number of HFMD cases is five times higher than last year. They have been found mostly in daycare centres and among children aged under five.
Most HFMD cases are found to have fevers in the first three days before they develop rashes on their hands, feet and in the mouth. No HFMD deaths have been found this year.
If many classes are found to have HFMD, RSV and dengue cases, which are all highly transmissible diseases, the schools must temporarily close down.
They can be treated at home in 5-7 days, but young kids who do not receive treatment early might develop threatening symptoms.