Beautiful Virgin Islands

Saturday, Jul 26, 2025

Daycare centres warned as Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease cases climb

Daycare centres warned as Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease cases climb

Local daycare centres are being urged to “adhere to proper hygiene and sanitation practices” not only because of COVID-19 but because of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is currently affecting the territory.

National Epidemiologist Harmonie Massiah said there have been five reported cases of HFMD in the last four weeks.

“Sick children should be kept home until they are well to limit the spread of the infection in schools and daycare institutions,” she stated.

Because of this increase in HFMD cases, the Ministry of Health & Social Development is encouraging parents to remain vigilant and monitor their children to ensure they are protected from the virus.

Massiah said the disease is spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing and contact with infected faeces via changing of diaper.

The disease can also be transmitted from touching surfaces or objects which have been contaminated with the virus.

“Symptoms usually begin with a fever, sore throat, reduced appetite and a general feeling of being unwell,” the Massiah said.

“Within a day or two after the first 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 they do not cause itching,” the National Epidemiologist added.

A communicable disease


People can contract HFMD and transfer the virus to someone else while being asymptomatic. The illness is usually mild and symptoms tend to disappear between seven and 10 days after infection.

The disease is caused by a group of viruses known as Coxsackie Viruses and it is more common in infants and young children under five years old. However, it is not uncommon for older children or adults to contract the virus.

To reduce the risk of getting infected with HFMD and prevent the spread of the virus, parents and care workers are encouraged by Massiah to wash hands often with soap and water, especially after changing diapers.

She is also urging adults to assist children with handwashing and teach them the proper method of washing their hands.

No specific treatment


There is no specific treatment for HFMD, but symptoms can be treated to provide relief. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used to manage fever and pain.

Persons with the virus are advised to drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration. Cold liquids are usually preferable. They should also refrain from consuming spicy and acidic foods as these may cause discomfort.

The Ministry of Health is also advising residents to refrain from touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Persons are further encouraged to disinfect surfaces and objects such as toys and doorknobs as they are major carriers of germs.

If someone is infected with HFMD, the ministry said people should avoid close contact with the individual and do not engage in intimate moments.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
Microsoft, US Lab to Use AI for Faster Nuclear Plant Licensing
Trump Walks Back Talk of Firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell
Zelensky Reshuffles Cabinet to Win Support at Home and in Washington
"Can You Hit Moscow?" Trump Asked Zelensky To Make Putin "Feel The Pain"
Irish Tech Worker Detained 100 days by US Authorities for Overstaying Visa
Dimon Warns on Fed Independence as Trump Administration Eyes Powell’s Succession
Church of England Removes 1991 Sexuality Guidelines from Clergy Selection
Superman Franchise Achieves Success with Latest Release
Hungary's Viktor Orban Rejects Agreements on Illegal Migration
Jeff Bezos Considers Purchasing Condé Nast as a Wedding Gift
Ghislaine Maxwell Says She’s Ready to Testify Before Congress on Epstein’s Criminal Empire
Bal des Pompiers: A Celebration of Community and Firefighter Culture in France
FBI Chief Kash Patel Denies Resignation Speculations Amid Epstein List Controversy
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
×