The alert level was five patients per clinic, but from July 15-21, some 3,000 pediatric clinics reported 36,797 cases.

Although the average number of patients per hospital decreased by 1.62 compared to the previous week, the levels detected remain high, this summer was equally marked by high heat and the spread of respiratory infectious diseases such as Covid-19.

The prefectures with the highest number of cases of human foot-and-mouth disease are Mie (27.56 cases), Toyama (21.76), Shizuoka (20.9), Niigata (19.31) and Hiroshima (18.82).

This troublesome viral infection is known to produce rashes on the hands and feet, and sores in the oral cavity and other parts of the body.

Other symptoms mentioned by physicians include fever, sore throat, feeling unwell, irritability, and loss of appetite.

Direct contact with mucous membranes or saliva becomes the main mode of spread.

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