Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases have been reported across Japan in October, despite typically being more common in the summer.

       The viral infection is known to cause rashes on the hands, feet and mouth, and is spread through water droplets released into the air when sneezing and coughing. It can also spread if a person touches the eyes, nose or mouth with hands contaminated by the virus.

       According to Japan’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases, medical institutions across the nation reported an average of 10.78 HFMD cases per facility between Oct 7 and 13.

       This means cases have risen consecutively for three weeks, reported Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun. It added that this is the highest number of cases during this time of year in the past decade.

       Of all the prefectures, Ehime has the highest average number of patients per medical institution, at 28.25.

       Following behind is Yamagata with 26.61 patients, Toyama with 25.25 patients, Miyagi with 22.58 patients, Kagawa with 18.14 patients and Fukushima with 17.92 patients.

       Of Japan’s 47 prefectures, 41 exceeded the warning level of five HFMD cases per medical institution.

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       In the Greater Tokyo area, Saitama had 16.4 patients per facility, followed by Chiba with 15.46 patients, Kanagawa with 13.17 patients and Tokyo with 12.33 patients.

       HFMD is also known to cause fever. On rare occasions, complications such as encephalitis – inflammation of the brain – can occur.

       The virus can continue to be present in patients’ stool for several weeks after symptoms subside.

       There are several types of viruses that can cause HFMD. The strain most patients have been affected with in 2024 causes rashes to break out not only on the hands and feet, but also on the face and abdomen.

       While HFMD usually spreads in the summer, HFMD cases in 2024 increased in June and July, declined in mid-August, and have since begun rising again.

       The year 2024 has also seen an uncharacteristically high number of cases among children over three years old, including elementary school pupils. The disease is typically most common among children aged two and below.

       Pediatrics professor Hiroyuki Moriuchi from Nagasaki University told The Asahi Shimbun that many older children lack immunity to HFMD as cases were low during the Covid-19 pandemic, which could have resulted in the continued spread of the disease currently.

       While there is no targeted treatment for HFMD, most cases subside within three to seven days.

       Mouth rashes, however, can cause pain and make it difficult to keep properly hydrated. This may lead to dehydration.

       Prof Moriuchi urged parents to seek medical advice if their children show symptoms such as vomiting, reduced urination, extreme fatigue or inability to stay hydrated.

       As alcohol-based hand sanitisers are believed to be less effective against such viruses, washing hands with soap and water is crucial to prevent HFMD.