No pharmacological intervention has been proven to prevent or control human HFMD/
EV71. The prevention and control measures currently being used are primarily
non-pharmaceutical, and for the most part are meant to interrupt the chain of virus
transmission, thus preventing severe disease and death. Early detection of outbreaks
and early recognition and intervention in cases at high risk of developing the rare but
severe forms of the disease are therefore among the key principles applied to minimize
the impact of the disease.
Decisions on public health interventions to prevent and control HFMD must be made
despite the lack of definitive scientific and technical evidence. They must also balance
technical expertise, prior experience and perceived risk-benefit. Factors such as public
perception and political pressure can also impact the success of the interventions
applied. Such factors may differ between countries, as well as for different population
groups within a country. For this purpose, risk assessment frameworks can be used to
systematically characterize the hazard, exposure and vulnerabilities, and to determine
appropriate intervention measures that will best fit the local context (1).
The main measures currently being taken to manage HFMD outbreaks include:
1) establishing and strengthening surveillance;
2) conducting information and education campaigns on good hygiene and basic
sanitation;
3) providing assistance to kindergartens, day-care facilities and schools during
outbreaks;
4) strengthening infection-control measures in both health care facilities and the
community;
5) improving clinical case-management services, particularly for severe manifestations
requiring intensive medical care;
6) exchanging information and disseminating best practices related to the preparedness,
response and management of HFMD, particularly during outbreaks