By Anita Dangazele
- 78 HFMD cases were recorded in the Eastern Cape, with East London the hardest hit.
- Most cases are in schoolchildren aged one to 14, especially in Grade R and Grade 4.
Health authorities in the Eastern Cape are on high alert as cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) continue to rise across the province.
The provincial health department has declared an outbreak, with cases climbing from 48 to 78 in just one week.
Most cases have been recorded in Buffalo City Metro and the Sarah Baartman District.
East London has been hit the hardest with 40 cases, followed by Qonce with 16, Mdantsane with 14, Kouga with seven, and Makana with one.
Children between the ages of one and 14 are most affected — especially those in Grade 4, Grade 5, Pre-Grade R and Grade R. The grade levels of five children are still unknown.
Health department spokesperson Siyanda Manana said HFMD is not usually a notifiable disease, so many cases often go unreported.
“But once cases were picked up in schools on 19 February, we launched an investigation and stepped up monitoring,” he said.
HFMD is a viral infection that mostly affects young children under 10. It spreads easily in crèches and primary schools, especially during summer and autumn.
The first cases in the country were reported in KZN, in eThekwini Metro and King Cetshwayo District, earlier in January and February.
Symptoms include fever, sore throat, tiredness, loss of appetite, and small blisters in the mouth, on the tongue, hands and feet.
Manana said the illness is usually mild and clears within 7 to 10 days, but the department is working to stop the spread.
“Disease Outbreak Response Teams are visiting schools to track cases and raise awareness,” he said.
Buffalo City Metro has set up a system to improve communication between schools and health officials, and school governing bodies are being involved in the response.
The department says regular handwashing and avoiding contact with infected people are the best ways to prevent HFMD.
While serious complications are rare, parents should watch out for signs of dehydration or high fever in children.
Pictured above: An HFMD infected foot.
Image source: National Institute for Communicable Diseases
