BANGKOK, July 19 – Thailand’s Public Health Ministry on Thursday confirmed that the cause of death of a two-year-old child at Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital in suburban Bangkok was unrelated to the ongoing hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) epidemic.

Permanent Secretary for Health Paichit Varachit explained that the child died from an encephalitis-related swelling of the brain and heart failure (acute myocarditis). The official emphasised that the death was not caused by the HFMD contagion. Confirmation on the cause of death will be released soon, he said.

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