Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has urged authorities to step up action against hand, foot and mouth disease after this year's death toll hit 81, a government website said Friday, dpa reported. He called on local authorities to provide more guidance for residents to protect themselves against the disease and make sure that homes and schools are kept clean. There have been over 32,000 cases of the virus this year, with most occurring in the south, the website said. The disease is particularly dangerous to children under 5 years old. The virus is transmitted through saliva, blister fluid and faeces, but it is rare among adults, whose immune systems are generally strong enough to fight it off. Symptoms include the appearance of small red blisters on the palms, feet and mouth as well as fever, nausea and loss of appetite. -- SPA
