BANGKOK, 14 June 2012 (NNT) – The Health Ministry has instructed all of its offices across the country to be on high alert against the spread of the foot-and-mouth disease.

Health Minister Wittaya Busanasiri said on Wednesday that the arrival of the rainy season, which brings along cold and wet weather, signals the risk of the foot-and-mouth disease spread, particularly among young children.

Mr. Wittaya said that the latest report confirmed the spread of virus in some provinces. With the new school term underway, the minister has instructed health offices nationwide to continuously keep a close eye on the situation.

Worried about an easy viral spread in crowded classrooms, the Health Minister urged related officials who have detected the presence of the disease to quickly introduce measures to contain the outbreak.

He also asked teachers and child’s care center staff to report any suspicious finding of the virus to report to the nearest health office immediately.

According to the Health Ministry, from January to May, as many as 6,109 people have been infected with the foot-and-mouth disease, but no fatality has been reported. The biggest number of patients was from the North, followed by the central region, the South and the Northeast.

However, the latest data shows the number of foot-and-mouth patients in this year has tripled from the same time of 2011.

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