Japan Issues Health Alerts as Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Surges

Hand, foot and mouth disease cases are rising rapidly across Japan, prompting health alerts in 35 prefectures ^[3].

The surge is significant because the virus causes painful throat lesions that can prevent patients from eating or drinking. While primarily affecting children, the outbreak is also impacting adults who come into contact with infected youth.

In the week ending July 12, medical institutions reported an average of 9.12 patients ^[1]. This figure exceeds the alert-level threshold of five patients per institution ^[2]. Regional data shows that Tokyo, Aichi, and Shizuoka are among the affected areas, with Chiba and Nara also surpassing alert levels ^[3]. Tokyo exceeded the HFMD alert level for the first time in two years ^[4].

Dr. Akira Tokita, director of Clinic Bambiini, said patients are presenting with blisters in the throat. He said the condition makes it so that patients cannot eat or drink because the blisters sting and cause pain. Dr. Tokita said red spots initially appear on the hands, feet, knees, and buttocks.

One example of the disease's impact was seen in a three-year-old patient who recorded a fever of 38 °C ^[5]. Dr. Tokita said some patients are just beginning to show symptoms, and there is a high possibility they will develop the disease.

Health authorities attribute the spread to summer-time viral transmission through saliva, coughs, and droplets. Because close contact in childcare settings facilitates the spread, officials recommend strict hand-washing protocols. They also advise the use of individual towels in childcare environments to limit transmission.