Identified Coxsackievirus A6 as the cause of a large HFMD outbreak in Thailand, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring of causative agents.
In Thailand, hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is usually caused by enterovirus 71 or coxsackievirus A16. To determine the cause of a large outbreak of HFMD in Thailand during June-August 2012, we examined patient specimens. Coxsackievirus A6 was the causative agent. To improve prevention and control, causes of HFMD should be monitored.
Puenpa et al. (Mon,) studied this question.