The number of confirmed reports of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Durban schools has more than tripled in a week, with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health confirming 36 117 cases by Saturday.
The first six cases were recorded among grades 1, 2 and 3 children at a school in Phoenix, north of Durban, last week, but more schools in the area, as well as in Greenwood Park and Umhlanga, have since reported cases, reports TimesLIVE.
An outbreak team from the provincial Health Department visited nine affected schools to investigate, and said it had carried out a number of virtual training sessions with circuit managers last week, with another session planned for healthcare workers this week.
University of KwaZulu-Natal's pulmonology and critical care Professor Rubeshan Perumal told the Sunday Times small periodic outbreaks of HFMD, especially in daycare facilities and primary schools, are common.
“The disease is usually mild and self-limiting, the most effective strategy being for sick individuals to stay away from school or home until their fever settles and the blisters resolved. Preventive measures, including hand washing and sanitising of high touch surfaces, are effective for limiting transmission.”
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) outbreak response team said HFMD was not a notifiable medical condition.
TimesLIVE article – Hand, foot and mouth disease cases more than tripled in days (Restricted access)
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