Hand, foot and mouth disease detected in Hanover
Published:Friday | November 22, 2024 | 12:05 AMBryan Miller/Gleaner Writer
Western Bureau:
While not providing any supporting data, the Hanover Health Department (HHD) says it has uncovered several cases of the common childhood illness hand, foot, and mouth (HFM) disease in the parish and is now taking steps to address the issue.
“Recently, a few cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease were [reported]. At the time of reporting, there was no cluster of the HFM disease except a few sporadic cases at health centres,” stated the report, signed by Dr Kausal Singh, the parish’s medical officer of health, which was read at the monthly meeting of the Hanover Municipal Corporation (HMC).
According to the report, the general symptoms of HFM disease are rashes and blisters around the mouth, hand, and feet, as well as the development of a fever, general malaise (that is poor appetite), and aches and pains, among other symptoms.
Not widespread
Speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, Petrina Clarke, deputy chief public health inspector assigned to the HHD, said that based on investigations and assessment carried out, the disease is not widespread in the parish and is being closely monitored by the health department.
“Overall, we do have it under control. There is nothing for any alarm,” said Clarke. “It is normal during this time of the year for us to have cases of the HFM disease throughout the parish.
“What we do, within 48 hours of us receiving notification, we have a team of public health inspectors and public health nurses that visit the school or community (where cases are suspected), and we commence investigations.”
Clarke further stated that in cases where the disease has been identified in a school, instructions are always given for deep cleaning and sanitisation of the institution.
“Principals can take the decision to have the entire school closed, and we (from the public health department) will go in just to monitor what they are doing to ensure that the cleaning process is done according to regulations,” said Clarke.
Clarke said the HFM cases discovered in Hanover to date are all linked to the primary school or early childhood level. He said none of the affected institutions had to close for any extended period.
Clarke suggested that once parents, guardians, and teachers identify any child or adult with a suspected case of HMF, they should take immediate steps to ensure that they get medical attention while also notifying the health department.