Adolf Kaure
The Hardap regional education Director Paulus Lewin, confirmed that they are aware of the situation of 19 learners at J & W Mouton Primary School who have contracted Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD).
It should be noted that this disease has no link to the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) which is currently affecting cattle and cloven-hoofed animals. These are two different diseases and do not affect the same victims. Meaning humans cannot contract Foot and Mouth Disease and cattle cannot contract HFMD
Lewin said the education directorate is aware and in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Social Services to address the matter.
“We are awaiting a comprehensive report and guidance on the way forward,” said Lewin.
Reports indicate that the children were instructed to isolate at home for two weeks. The parents have also been notified and were expected to arrange transport for the infected learners from the school hostel.
Hardap Regional Health Director, Yvonne Stephanus, confirmed the outbreaks, saying a team had been dispatched to Karanas to investigate further. “Currently, the situation is under control and no learner is in danger,” Lewin added.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), HFMD is a common infectious disease that occurs most often in children but can also occur in adolescents and occasionally in adults.
Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a highly contagious viral illness—most often caused by Coxsackievirus A16—that typically affects children under five and causes fever, painful mouth sores, and a rash on the hands and feet, usually resolving within seven to 10 days.
HFMD is a common childhood infection but can occur at any age. It spreads easily in schools and daycare settings. The illness is usually mild and selflimiting.
Though HFMD is mostly caused by Coxsackievirus A16, Enterovirus 71 is another frequent cause.
The disease spreads through respiratory droplets, contact with contaminated surfaces, fluid from blisters and faecaloral transmission.
Symptoms typically appear three to six days after exposure and progress in stages. Early symptoms include fever, sore throat, reduced appetite and general malaise.
Later symptoms are painful mouth sores (tongue, gums, cheeks), rash on hands and feet, sometimes buttocks or groin. The rash may include blisterlike lesions; appearance varies by skin tone and possible swollen lymph nodes.
More severe symptoms such as meningitis, encephalitis and polio-like paralysis may occur. However, most people recover from the disease in seven to ten days without complications.
Medical care is needed when a child is under six months old, symptoms persist beyond 10 days, fever lasts more than three days, dehydration signs appear (painful swallowing, reduced fluid intake) or the child has a weakened immune system.
Prevention methods include frequent handwashing, disinfecting surfaces and shared items as well as avoiding close contact like hugging and kissing with infected individuals. Keeping children home from school or daycare during active symptoms is another prevention method. HFMD is generally mild, and most cases resolve without complications.
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