Hand, foot and mouth disease cases spike in KZN

JOHANNESBURG - The KwaZulu-Natal Health Department is calling for calm following an uptick in cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) at several primary schools and daycare centres in the north of Durban.

The viral infection is contagious and is common in young children. 

Symptoms include mouth sores and a rash on the hands and feet.

A team from the department visited the nine affected schools to investigate the outbreak. 

The first six cases of the disease were reported earlier this month.

But since the weekend the number has increased to 117. 

The first cases were reported among pupils in grades one, two and three at a school in Phoenix.

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By Thursday, more schools in the area reported cases. 

The provincial outbreak team visited nine of the affected schools to investigate the outbreak - and found that the children had flu-like symptoms as well as blisters and swollen hands. 

The department is calling on parents and caregivers to regularly clean surfaces and avoid the sharing of items such as toys and stationery. 

It also urged parents to visit the nearest healthcare facility if they suspect their child has been exposed to the disease.