Hand, foot, and mouth disease is most frequently seen in young children, infants and toddlers.
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By Halshane Burke
As the start of the new academic year fast approaches, parents are being encouraged to safeguard their children against hand, foot and mouth disease.
Health Promotion and Education Officer for Westmoreland, Gerald Miller, says data indicate that increased cases tend to emerge between March and June and September and December.
He points out, however, that spikes can occur at any time and, as such, parents must be vigilant.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common childhood illness caused by different enteroviruses and is most frequently seen in young children, infants and toddlers.
It is characterised by fever and a blister-like rash affecting the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, along with blisters inside the mouth.
Children usually contract the virus through, among other things, close interactions with other children who are infected. It typically occurs in small outbreaks in nursery schools or kindergartens.
Mr. Miller further emphasised that day-care providers must also ensure their facilities, as well as the toys that the children interact with, are properly sanitised with bleach.
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