CANACONA
Some pre-primary schools have been temporarily closed after cases of Hand-Foot-Mouth (HFM) disease have been reported in some pre-primary and Anganwadis/Balwadis in parts of Canacona.According to sources, a child was noticed having rashes on his hand and legs at a particular pre-primary school in the taluka during the beginning of July. The parents were then asked to take the child home.
The next day, some more children displayed similar symptoms and on the third day, more students of the particular class began to show the same symptoms. Parents of the entire class were called to the school and asked to take back their children and they were advised not to bring their children to school till otherwise notified.
Incidentally, the school however continued to conduct lessons of another class, till a child was observed having a cough and fever. Parents of that class were then advised not to bring their children to school till further directions.
Dr Sneha Amonkar of the Canacona Community Health Centre (CHC) said the disease, which causes fever and painful rashes on hands, feet and buttocks, is highly contagious.
The infection is considered to be self-limiting and rarely turns severe. Doctors have said regular treatment can lead to a complete cure within 7-10 days.
