CAPE TOWN, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Department of Health (DoH) on Tuesday urged residents to remain calm but vigilant following an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in KwaZulu-Natal Province.
In a statement, the department reassured the public that it was working closely with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases to monitor the situation and provide necessary support to contain the spread in the province.
The KwaZulu-Natal provincial health department reported that since the first six cases were identified between Feb. 6 and 10, the number of confirmed HFMD cases in the province had risen to 168, primarily concentrated around the Durban area.
"There is no need for the public to panic because the outbreak remains under control and at the current moment there is no serious public health threat detected," said the DoH in the statement.
"However, parents and caregivers are urged to be vigilant in case their children display common symptoms such as fever, sore throat, tiredness, loss of appetite and small blisters on the inside of the mouth, sides of the tongue, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet," it said.
The DoH emphasized that HFMD is a common viral infection, with children under 10 being most at risk. "It is not common in adults, but people with weak immune systems may be prone to infection," it said.
The department also explained that the infection is usually self-limiting, resolving within seven to 10 days without medication. However, a few individuals may require hospitalization for complications.
"Parents are urged to keep symptomatic children at home until they recover to prevent further spread of the disease," said the DoH.
"Hygiene practices are some of the most effective preventative and control methods to contain the spread of the disease, hence educators and parents are encouraged to promote good hygiene habits at homes and school environment, including regular hand-washing, covering mouth when coughing, regularly cleaning surfaces, and not sharing eating utensils and stationery," it added.
According to the statement, HFMD is caused by enteroviruses and typically occurs in small outbreaks at schools, creches, and daycare centers, particularly during the summer and autumn months. The disease spreads through direct contact, droplets from the mouth or nose of an infected person, and contaminated objects or feces. ■
