Beautiful Virgin Islands

Friday, Apr 18, 2025

8 suspected cases of Hand Foot & Mouth Disease in VI

8 suspected cases of Hand Foot & Mouth Disease in VI

The Environmental Health Division is heightening surveillance of early childhood centers across the Territory following the report of eight suspected cases of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD).

Symptoms of HFMD usually begin with a fever, sore throat, reduced appetite and a general feeling of being unwell. Within two days of the onset of symptoms, a rash and bumps may appear on the soles of the feet, palms of the hands and inside the mouth. A rash may also develop on the elbows, knees and buttocks. The bumps may blister but do not cause itching.

According to a Government Information Services (GIS) press release today, August 17, 2022, Chief Environmental Health Officer Mr Lionel E. Michael encourages owners and teachers at early childhood centers, including parents, to be watchful for any HFMD symptoms, and to help curb the spread of the disease by implementing safety practices including washing hands often with soap and water, especially after changing diapers. Adults should help young children do the same.

Chief Environmental Health Officer Mr Lionel E. Michael encourages owners and teachers at early childhood centers, including parents, to be watchful for any HFMD symptoms, and to help curb the spread of the disease by implementing safety practices including washing hands often with soap and water, especially after changing diapers.


'Be watchful'- Chief Environmental Health Officer


Persons should avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Disinfect surfaces and objects, such as toys and doorknobs. Persons should also avoid close contact such as hugging, kissing and sharing eating utensils with persons who are infected with HFMD.

The Environmental Health Division, according to the press release, has identified various contributing factors to the spread of the contagious and infectious diseases like HFMD through inspections and investigations. Those contributing factors include poor personal hygiene, poor cleaning and disinfection (Improper Infection Control), overcrowding, and non-adherence to Sick Policy.

Training & awareness


The chief environmental health officer said that in addition to inspections, the department conducts teacher trainings to help curb the spread of infectious diseases. The division, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, conducts the trainings that focus on personal hygiene, child safety, infection control and food hygiene.

“The intent of the sessions is to introduce and refresh teachers of the essential practices required to keep themselves and our children safe and healthy,” said Mr Michael.

Hand Foot and Mouth Disease is spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing, and contact with infected feces through the changing a diaper, or touching surfaces or objects which have been contaminated with the virus.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
U.S. State Department Raises El Salvador’s Safety Ranking, Making It Safer Than France and Other European Nations
UK Government Assumes Control of British Steel's Scunthorpe Plant Amid Shutdown Threat
UK MP Wera Hobhouse Denied Entry to Hong Kong During Family Visit
Bangladesh Issues Arrest Warrant for UK MP Tulip Siddiq
China Urges United States to Cancel Tariffs Amid Escalating Trade Tensions
The Empire’s USD Pyramid Scheme Is Working Brilliantly—So Why ‘Fix’ It?
China Raises Tariffs on U.S. Goods to 125% Amid Escalating Trade Dispute
Elon Musk Reports $150 Billion in Projected Government Savings Amid Fraud Investigations
U.S. and Panama Finalize Defense Agreements Amid Canal Access and Chinese Influence Concerns
China Stands Firm Amidst Trade Disputes with the US: A Factual Analysis
U.S. Tariff Escalation Sparks Global Trade Tensions
Helicopter crashes in NYC with four people on board.
Australia Dismisses China's Suggestion to Collaborate Against US Tariffs
EU Postpones Response to US Tariffs
The Trump Administration is contemplating removing Chinese companies from U.S. stock exchanges.
Violent Incidents and Public Safety Concerns Escalate in London and County Durham
UK MP Arrested on Suspicion of Rape and Child Sex Offences
UK Gears Up to Respond to US Tariffs with Industrial Strategies and Trade Initiatives
‘Rocky’ star Dolph Lundgren and his wife Emma Krokdal bask in the Miami sunshine following the actor’s lengthy health struggles.
Spain Encounters Countrywide Protests as Housing Crisis Intensifies
Alisha Lehmann's Modeling Campaign and Public Controversy Stir Debate Ahead of UEFA Women's Euro
U.S. Firms with Major International Revenue Exposure in Light of New Tariffs
President Trump Calls on the Federal Reserve to Reduce Interest Rates in Light of New Tariffs
President Trump Prolongs TikTok Sale Deadline by 75 Days
Global Markets Dive Amid Rising U.S.-China Trade Conflicts
British comedian Russell Brand faces charges of rape and several sexual assaults.
Kanye West Reveals in a New Song That His Wife Bianca Censori Has Departed from Him
Actor Jean-Claude Van Damme Accused of Having Sex with Human Trafficking Victims
Tom Cruise Pays Tribute to Val Kilmer at CinemaCon
Europe Pursues Digital Autonomy Amidst Transatlantic Strains
OpenAI Lands Unprecedented $40 Billion Funding.
Charity Chairwoman Accuses Prince Harry of Bullying and Harassment
DOGE revealed that USAID provided $84 million to the Clinton Foundation. Of this amount, $3 million was spent on Chelsea Clinton's wedding, and $10 million was used to acquire a lavish mansion.
The State Department has announced the formal closure of USAID.
Apple's Innovation Deficit: Falling Behind in AI and Foldable Technology as Chinese Developments Progress
President Trump Proposes Military Intervention to Obtain Greenland
Passenger Taken into Custody After Engaging in Masturbation on SWISS Air Flight
Barcelona player Dani Alves found not guilty of rape accusations.
PUTIN'S LIMOUSINE DETONATES—SECURITY CHAOS ENSUES
French Foreign Ministry Denounces U.S. Interference in Corporate Diversity Initiatives
Copyright Issues Emerge as AI-Generated Studio Ghibli Images Gain Popularity
This is what we refer to as CREATIVITY.
Removing the Political Opponent Means Dismissing the Remnants of Turkey's Economy.
Malaysia Strengthens Semiconductor Regulations in Response to U.S. Pressure to Restrict AI NVIDIA Chip Exports to China.
OpenAI Launches New Image Generation Tool for ChatGPT
Ex-FIFA President and French Football Icon Acquitted of Corruption Allegations
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz Under Investigation After Journalist Added to Secret Military Chat
Ex-Business Partner of Hunter Biden Discusses Possible Pardon from President Trump
U.S. Attorney General Announces Task Force to Prosecute Government Fraud
American Brands Face Consumer Boycott in Europe Amid Escalating Trade and Political Tensions
×