Hand, foot and mouth disease spreads, private schools in Chandigarh switch to online classes
Chandigarh, July 27
With cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) having been reported from schools in the tricity, some schools in the city have shifted to online mode of imparting education for a few days to break the chain of viral infection, which is highly contagious and seen in students of pre-primary classes.
Delhi Public School, Sector 40, has switched to the online mode after a few students from the pre-primary wing were found infected with the HFMD. “It has been brought to our notice by the parents that a few children from the pre-primary wing have been infected with the disease. Keeping the safety of our students in mind and as a precautionary measure, we are shifting nursery, Prep I and II classes to online mode for the next two days,” reads a message sent by the school to parents of its students today.
A student of St Kabir School, Sector 26, in the kindergarten section has been diagnosed with the disease. The school will remain closed for
students of nursery to Class II and the teaching mode has been shifted to online.
Bhavan Vidyalaya (Junior Wing), Sector 33, is also closed as a precautionary measure. St. John’s High School has also been shut till further notice and classes are being held online.
The UT Health Department has issued guidelines on the disease. Hand, foot and mouth disease or HFMD is a contagious illness caused by different viruses. Infants and children younger than five years of age are more likely to get infected. However, older children and adults can also get it. Depending on how severe the symptoms are, samples from the throat or stool are being collected and sent to a laboratory to test the presence of the virus. Testing facility is available at the Department of Virology, PGI.
Harsuhinder Pal Singh Brar, Director, School Education, said, “No case from any government school in the city has been detected till now and hence, we will not be closing them for now. We are keeping a close watch on such cases. Some private schools in the city have been shut as a precautionary measure.”
About the disease
Hand, foot and mouth disease usually starts with fever, poor appetite, a vague feeling of being unwell and sore throat. One or two days after fever starts, painful sores usually develop in the mouth. They begin as small red spots that often become ulcers. The sores are often in the back of the mouth. A skin rash develops over one to two days. The rash is usually on the palms and soles. It may also appear on knees, elbows, buttocks or genital area. Persons infected with the viruses that cause hand, foot and mouth disease may not get all symptoms of the disease. They may only get mouth sores or skin rash.
Preventive measures
Proper hygiene, including mandatory hand washing after contact with patient
Items such as spoons, cups and utensils should not be shared and washed with detergent after use
Disinfect articles such as toys contaminated by infected cases
HFMD patients should be isolated
Sharing of clothes, towels by the siblings should be avoided
