HPA urges caution over the rapid spread of hand, foot and mouth disease

Health Protection Agency (HPA) has urged the public to exercise caution over the rapid spread of hand, foot and mouth disease.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a contagious disease that is spread through a virus. Anyone can contract the virus. However, HPA states that there is an increase chance of transmission of the disease in places where children gather in crowds.

Symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, mouth sores and skin rash on hands and feet. The rash may turn to blisters later. Other symptoms also include fatigue and loss of appetite.

Hand, foot and mouth disease can be transmitted through the saliva, drool, nasal mucus, feces and the fluid from blisters of an infected individual. It can also be transmitted through respiratory droplets containing virus particles when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Symptoms will show up within three to seven days after contracting the virus.

To protect one’s self against the disease – HPA has urged cleaning or sanitizing objects and surfaces with frequent contact. They have also advised to confine children with the disease to their homes, and safely destroy diapers and tissues used by them.