SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY, (DCOMM) – The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the Sint Maarten Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labor, is calling on the community and in particular parents and guardians, day care centers, play schools, and the primary school communities to take preventive measures to mitigate Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD).
HFMD is a common, but very contagious viral illness that usually affects infants and children who are five-years of age or younger. It can sometimes occur in adults. There is no vaccine to protect against the viruses that causes hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Symptoms of HFMD include fever, sore throat, mouth sores, and a skin rash commonly on the hands and feet. Sometimes the rash can develop into painful blisters. Most children may have mild symptoms for seven to 10 days.
HFMD is spread from person to person through nose and throat secretions (such as saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus), blister fluid, or stool of infected persons. When handling secretions, it is advisable to apply the necessary preventive measures such as wearing gloves and washing your hands once done.
Persons with symptoms should consult their house doctor and take necessary preventive measures to mitigate an increase in the number of cases.
To lower your risk of being infected with HFMD, wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after changing diapers and using the toilet, disinfecting dirty surfaces and soiled items, including toys. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Wash items with soap and water and then disinfect them with a solution of chlorine bleach; and avoiding close contact such as kissing, hugging, thumb-sucking, nail-chewing, or sharing eating utensils or cups with infected persons.
There are a number of preventative measures that day care centers and pre-schools can take such as wiping down surfaces. All toys and surfaces are wiped down after playtime, washed and disinfected.
Day care centers should use disposable gloves and have protocols in place to sanitize hands and changing areas from one child to the next.
Parents/guardians who have a child exhibiting any symptoms of HFMD, and who have an appointment with the Baby Wellness Clinic are hereby requested to call and reschedule their child’s appointment by calling: (721) 542-3003 or (721) 520-4163.
HFMD is not the same as foot and mouth disease, which affects cattle, sheep, and pigs. The two infections are unrelated, and you cannot catch hand, foot, and mouth disease from animals.
For more information call CPS at 914 or email youthhealthcare@sintmaartengov.org
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