Parents in KwaZulu-Natal are urged to keep their children at home if they show symptoms of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) following a concerning outbreak in the northern suburbs of Durban.

Hands with rashes due to hand, foot and mouth disease

The provincial Department of Health has confirmed 36 cases of HFMD across several primary schools and daycare centres in areas including Phoenix, Greenwood Park, and Umhlanga.

An outbreak response team from the Department has already visited nine affected schools to investigate the situation.

According to health officials, the children have exhibited flu-like symptoms alongside painful blisters, primarily affecting their hands and mouths.

Ntokozo Maphisa, spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health said they were concerned about the growing numbers, but appealed for calm.

“We urge parents to ensure that children have no direct contact with persons who are ill. Those who are affected by HFMD, with severe disease or complications, are urged to visit the nearest healthcare facility. Learners who are symptomatic of HFMD should be kept at home until they feel better,” said Maphisa.

A Phoenix mother, who did not want to be named, said when her two-year-old son returned from crèche this week she was horrified when changing her baby's diaper to find blisters in his groin and buttocks.

"He didn’t not want me to touch this area. When I contacted the crèche they told me they noticed this but failed to inform me.

"I didn’t even know this disease existed until a few days prior when notices went out from schools. My son had sores in his mouth and lips. He also had under his feet, hands and underarms. He couldn’t sleep. I took him to a doctor, unfortunately it has to run its course," she said.

She said in Phoenix there were water cuts which was also contributing to the spread of the virus.

"Crèches are lacking hygiene. The health department needs to do regular inspections and have nurses and officials visit these creches," she said.

Catherine Lokker, a grandmother from Warner Beach, said her 18-month-old granddaughter got sick at day care in Amanzimtoti.

"She first presented with a fever and by the next day her body was full of blisters. Her entire body and mouth has blisters. We thought she had chicken pox but the paediatrician confirmed it was hand, foot and mouth disease.

"I understand children get sick, but parents need to be vigilant and consider other children and not send their sick child to crèche or school," said Lokker.

eThekwini Municipality said in a statement that the City’s area based outbreak response team has investigated and is closely monitoring the situation.

"HFMD is a common illness affecting infants and young children, often occurring in small outbreaks during summer and autumn. It should not be confused with Foot and Mouth Disease, which affects animals."

HFMD outbreaks occur crèches or day care centres. It is spread from person to person by direct contact or by droplets from the mouth or nose of an infected person.

It may also be spread through contaminated objects, such as toys, stationery, and faeces. Common signs and symptoms of HFMD include 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.

The symptoms of HFMD usually start 3 to 7 days after being infected, and last between 7 to 10 days.