| Update on Hand Foot and Mouth Disease in the TCI |
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| Thursday, 26 April 2012 08:32 | |||
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The Ministry of Health and Education says there have been a total of forty-nine cases of Hand Foot and Mouth disease in the Turks and Caicos Islands since the beginning of the outbreak in early March. All those affected were under 8 years of age and have completely recovered from the illness. HFMD is a contagious disease that is easily passed from one child to another. It is transmitted by direct contact with nasal secretions, saliva and stool of infected individuals. HFMD is commonest in child care settings due to frequent contact with soiled diapers and children putting their hands in their mouths after being in contact with secretions of infected individuals. HFMD occasionally occurs in adolescents and adults. Symptoms include some or all of the following: painful sores in the mouth, rashes on the hands and feet, which may be associated with blisters, fever, headache, feeling generally unwell or irritable, runny nose, and/or sore throat. HFMD is mostly a mild and self-limiting illness lasting for a few days. However, there are more severe forms of the disease which are associated with neurological complications as a result of meningitis (associated with fever, headache, and neck stiffness) and encephalitis (resulting in paralysis) which are uncommon. The ministry continues its ongoing HFMD Prevention Campaign in collaboration with the Environmental Health Department of the Ministry of Environment and Home Affairs. The campaign emphasizes the importance of practicing proper hygiene, especially hand washing and diapering in child care settings. The enhanced surveillance activities which began at health care facilities and schools since the start of the outbreak are ongoing as the ministry and department continue to monitor the situation. There is no specific treatment for hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Symptom control, such as the use of paracetamol (Panadol or Tylenol) for fever and pain relief, is often all that is necessary. In some cases HFMD can cause a sore mouth and throat, which makes it difficult to swallow. It is therefore important to maintain adequate fluid intake to avoid dehydration. If oral fluids are not tolerated and the infected individual becomes dehydrated, admission to hospital may be required for intravenous fluids to be administered. Symptoms usually resolve within 10 days. Meanwhile, you are urged to report to your health care provider if you suspect that you or your child has any signs or symptoms of HFMD.
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