‘Don’t panic’ – Health Minister as cases of Hand, Foot, & Mouth Disease detected in some schools

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony is urging parents and other stakeholders to remain calm after cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) have been detected among students at a few public schools.

Earlier this week, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) took to its Facebook page to shed light on the issue which it labeled as a “health crisis”. The party revealed that over the past three weeks, students at the Mon Repos Primary School on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) began to develop sores and rashes on their feet, arms and mouth – which is suspected to be symptoms of HFMD.

Asked about this on Tuesday, Dr Anthony confirmed that health officials have received the reports and the matter is being addressed.

“From a clinical picture, it looks like that [HFMD]. We also got another report from another school and se sent a team there as well. So, our infectious disease experts in the ministry, they have been looking at this and clinically, they think that it is this Hand, Food, and Mouth Disease,” the health minister explained.

Nevertheless, he noted that samples have been taken and were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for testing.

“We are sending that to CARPHA for a verification of the pathogen. And once we have that verification, then we’ll be able to conclusively say that this is what it is,” the health minister noted.

HFMD is a mild, contagious viral infection most common in infants and children younger than 5 years old. Symptoms include sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet. Most people get better on their own in 7 to 10 days.

As such the Health Minister urged parents not to panic, emphasizing that the situation is not a “health crisis” as it is being portrayed by the opposition.

“The cases that we’ve seen are predominantly on the East Coast [of Demerara] and they’re not a lot of cases. They’re just a couple of cases that we have seen that were referred to us,” Dr Anthony explained, noting that there is no need to panic.

“It’s not fatal, and therefore, I don’t think people should worry unduly. What you need to do is to make sure you take all those precautions,” he emphasised.

“If you know of any child that exhibited these symptoms, let them stay home for a couple of days, and they’ll be okay after three days,” he added.

According to the U.S Centers for Disease control and Prevention, HMFD can spread quickly at schools and day care centers.

To prevent/limit the spread of the disease, persons are encouraged to wash their hands often, clean and disinfect surfaces, and avoid close contact with others.

The Ministry of Health has since issued a statement on the situation. See the full statement below: 

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with regional authorities, is actively investigating and monitoring a suspected outbreak of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). HFMD is a contagious viral disease that primarily affects children of primary school age, although individuals of any age can contract it.

On March 11, an expert team from the Ministry of Health conducted an initial visit to assess the situation and provide necessary support. A follow-up visit was conducted on March 18. Samples have been collected and sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for confirmation of the pathogen.

The Ministry wishes to inform the public about the common symptoms of HFMD, which include fever, sore throat, painful sores or blisters in the mouth, and a rash on the hands, feet, and occasionally the buttocks. Symptoms typically appear two to seven days after exposure to an infected person, their bodily secretions (for example, their saliva, blister fluid, or faeces), or contaminated objects and surfaces.

While highly contagious, HFMD is generally not severe, with most cases resolving on their own within seven to 10 days. Medical treatment is primarily to relieve pain and fever, and to prevent dehydration.

To minimize the risk of infection, the Ministry advises the public to take the following precautionary measures:

• Practice regular handwashing with soap and water.

• Avoid close contact with individuals who are exhibiting symptoms.

• Sanitize and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and shared items.

Individuals, particularly children, showing symptoms of HFMD are strongly encouraged to remain at home until they are no longer contagious. Parents are urged to seek medical attention at the nearest health facility if their child exhibits signs or symptoms of HFMD, or if the illness persists for more than one week.

The Ministry of Health remains committed to protecting the health and well-being of all citizens and will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.