Yul Kwon:
Asia is on high alert over an outbreak of a lethal strain of hand, foot and mouth disease. Cambodia seems to be the country most affected by the outbreak of the virus, which strikes young children with symptoms including high fever, brain swelling, paralysis and respiratory shutdown. MBC reports on efforts to treat and contain further spread of the disease.

Reporter:
Fear of a mysterious disease is spreading in Cambodia, with 61 children dying in the past two months from this unidentified illness. The World Health Organization has identified it as hand, foot and mouth disease.

Father of Hospital Patient:
I've brought my child to the hospital, because I'm worried my kid has hand, foot and mouth disease.

Reporter:
Cambodia isn't the only country suffering from the contagious disease this summer. The number of infected people in Vietnam is more than eight times what it was last year, and there are more than 420,000 cases in China. China has already issued alerts about hand, foot and mouth disease, as well as dengue fever and malaria. In Thailand, some kindergartens have closed. Hand, foot and mouth disease is also spreading in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macao, which have good hygiene standards. The Korean Ministry of Health says people should be careful when they visit these countries during their summer vacations. Hand, foot and mouth disease affects children, who have low immunity. Blisters and ulcers start in the mouth and on the hands and feet. It's usually spread through direct physical contact. And there's no vaccine, because it's caused by a virus, just like the flu. Doctors are advising people to wash their hands frequently, and avoid places where many people gather.