ALABAMA, U.S— The Alabama Health Department is monitoring an outbreak of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD), a contagious viral illness identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as due to the Coxsackie A6 virus (CVA6). HFMD is not unusual, but the Coxsackie A6 viral strain is new to the U.S. Symptoms include fever, hand and foot rash, mouth sores, and dehydration. Pneumonia, Meningitis, or Encephalitis are rare complications. There is no specific treatment for HFMD.
CVA6 caused an HFMD outbreak in Finland in 2008, and the CDC notes that CVA6 infections “may be emerging as a new and major cause of epidemic HFMD”.
Sources:
1. HealthWatch: 14 cases of new strain of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in Alabama
2. AL Health Dept: Cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease on Rise
http://www2.wkrg.com/news/2012/feb/14/health-dept-cases-hand-foot-and-mouth-disease-rise-ar-3229895/
3. Österback R, Vuorinen T, Linna M, Susi P, Hyypiä, Waris M. Coxackievirus A6 and hand, foot, and mouth disease, Finland. Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet]. 2009 Sep [February 16, 2012]. Available from http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/15/9/09-0438.htm
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