No evidence of new coxsackie virus outbreak among children in Uzbekistan

Nurmat Otabekov, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Wellbeing and Public Health, has dismissed reports of an outbreak of the Coxsackie virus among children in Uzbekistan as unfounded. His statement was shared by Furkat Sanayev, press secretary of the Ministry of Health, on his Telegram channel.

Otabekov clarified that the circulating reports in some internet publications and social networks about the spread of the Coxsackie virus lack a factual basis. He also explained the origin and types of the virus.

“The virus is named after Coxsackie, a city in the United States where it was first identified. It belongs to the enterovirus family, with over 70 types, primarily types A and B. The disease mainly affects children, particularly boys and girls aged 3 to 10. Adult cases are very rare,” Otabekov said.

Since the virus commonly affects children, typical symptoms can be observed in this group. The illness usually begins with a sudden high fever (up to 39-40 degrees Celsius), headache, insomnia, and weakness. After 2-4 days, the fever gradually decreases. Symptoms resembling a common cold, along with some gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, may also occur.

Exposure to the Coxsackie virus causes various rashes to appear on the palms and soles of children, as well as on the mucous membranes of the mouth. Some children may experience difficulty swallowing, small ulcers, and sore throat symptoms similar to stomatitis, which can lead to fever and loss of appetite. The disease mainly spreads during summer months when children use public swimming pools and come into close contact with infected individuals. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 10 days, sometimes as short as 2 to 5 days.

“The virus exists worldwide and is occasionally recorded in Uzbekistan,” Otabekov added.

He further noted that to date, laboratories of the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Wellbeing and Public Health, along with the Research Institute of Virology, have not detected any cases of the Coxsackie virus.

“Therefore, there is no evidence to suggest a widespread outbreak in our country. Importantly, there are established treatment protocols for the Coxsackie virus, and the disease is fully curable without complications,” Otabekov emphasized.

It is also worth recalling that Nurmat Otabekov recently reported that the COVID-19 situation in Uzbekistan remains stable despite new waves globally