There have been reports of sporadic outbreaks of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) over the past week.
The Ministry of Health is, therefore, advising parents, guardians and teachers to take the necessary precautions in an effort to curtail the spread of this normally benign disease.
This was revealed yesterday in a release from the Government Information Service.
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is a viral illness spread by direct contact with nasal and throat secretions or faeces of the infected person.
The virus may also be transmitted by coughing, sneezing, and contaminated hands if not washed thoroughly. However, the release noted that the causative virus is quite different from that of Foot and Mouth Disease, which is a disease of animals.
The disease occurs mainly in children under ten, but adult cases are not unusual.
Symptoms of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease include fever, malaise, sore mouth and the development of a rash. Mouth lesions appear on the inside surfaces of the cheeks, gums and on the sides of the tongue, while raised pink spots particularly on the palms, fingers, soles and occasionally on the buttocks, develop into blisters, and may persist for seven to ten days.
Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Elizabeth Ferdinand said children should be kept away from school or nursery during the period of their illness. However, they may resume normal activity before the last blister has disappeared providing he/she is otherwise well. (BGIS)
