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The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Social Services informs the public of a\u00a0recently reported increase in cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease\u00a0(HFMD) within our community. In the first week of October, the Ministry\u00a0identified one suspected case. This resulted in a release of a circular by the\u00a0Environmental Health Department on October 11th, 2023. Since then, there\u00a0have been suspected cases in 5 out of 7 health districts among children\u00a0below six years old.<\/p>\n
HFMD is a common childhood illness caused by various strains of\u00a0enteroviruses, primarily the Coxsackievirus A16 and Enterovirus 71. It\u00a0usually affects children under the age of five but can also occur in older\u00a0children and adults. The disease presents as a mild to moderate illness but\u00a0can cause discomfort and concern.<\/p>\n
Symptoms of HFMD usually appear within three to seven days after\u00a0exposure to the virus and may include fever, sore throat, a rash on the\u00a0hands and feet, and small, painful blisters in the mouth. In some cases,\u00a0individuals may also experience a loss of appetite, irritability, and feel\u00a0generally unwell.<\/p>\n
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease can easily spread from person to person\u00a0through close contact with saliva, nasal discharge, fluid from blisters, or fecal\u00a0matter. Therefore, it is crucial to practice good personal hygiene, such as\u00a0washing hands frequently, avoiding close contact with infected individuals,\u00a0and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces.To help control the spread of HFMD, the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and\u00a0Social Services recommends that parents keep their children home from\u00a0school or daycare if they exhibit symptoms. It is equally important to seek\u00a0medical advice promptly if HFMD is suspected, especially if an individual\u00a0experiences high fever, dehydration, difficulty swallowing, or if the symptoms\u00a0worsen.<\/p>\n
While there is no specific treatment or vaccine for HFMD, most individuals\u00a0recover within seven to ten days with appropriate care, ample rest, and fluid\u00a0intake to prevent dehydration. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help\u00a0manage the discomfort caused by the mouth blisters and fever. It is crucial\u00a0that individuals affected by HFMD avoid contact with others until they have\u00a0fully recovered to prevent further transmission.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Social Services is closely monitoring the\u00a0situation and collaborating with healthcare providers and the Ministry of\u00a0Education to ensure the adequate management of cases and further prevent\u00a0the spread of HFMD within our communities.\u00a0We urge the public, particularly school teachers, parents and children, to raise\u00a0their awareness for symptoms and promote hygienic practices. We encourage\u00a0all to remain vigilant and follow the recommended preventive measures.<\/p>\n
If you have any concerns or inquiries regarding Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, please\u00a0contact your nearest health facility.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Social Services informs the public of a\u00a0recently reported increase in cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease\u00a0(HFMD) within our community. In the first week of October, the Ministry\u00a0identified one suspected case. This resulted in…","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":309959,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","footnotes":""},"categories":[17,235,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-309958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-homepage-carousel","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n