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HFMD: As several Kashmir schools suspend classes; Health, Education Depts issue advisories

Ziraat Times Team Report

Srinagar, Oct 1: As several Srinagar schools have suspended classes for a few lower primary classes after cases of Hand Foot and Mouth disease (HFMD) surfaced over the last week, anxious parents are asking for more information and clear messaging from the Department of Health about preventive measures and school attendance publicised proactively through mass media.

While pro active public engagement and messaging on the matter has been far from expected, Director Health Services Kashmir, Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, has said that there is nothing to worry and the viral infection is common and does not need any treatment.

Meanwhile, taking note of the reported cases, Director School Education, Kashmir, Tasaduq Hussian, said that they have already issued instructions that students with HFMD symptoms should be isolated at the earliest.

“This is not so dangerous or alarming and we have to fight these things. Parents must keep children with HFMD symptoms at home for a few days and there is no need to panic,” he said.

During the last one month several cluster occurrences of the disease have been reported from Delhi, Mumbai and few other cities of the country. A spike in cases has forced many Delhi schools to opt for online classes mode. An advisory has been issued by many schools to sensitize the parents about the viral infection that is spreading fast among school children, especially among primary class students.

News agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) quoted Director Health Services while talking to reporters at PHC Chanapora that the department has already issued an advisory on HFMD,  popularly known as Tomato Flu as blisters and rashes look like tomatoes.

He asked people to follow advisory in letter and spirit, maintaining that “it is a mild disease and all cases reported so far have been isolated and surveillance units have been alerted to keep close vigil on it.”

“But we are alert and ready to deal with any situation,” he added.

Situation in Delhi and other parts of the country

According to a Delhi Health Department Advisory issued last week, “A few cases of Hand, foot and Mouth disease (HFMD) have been reported among students of a junior school in the past one week. It is a common, self-limiting but highly contagious viral disease that usually affects infants and children less than 5 years old. But, sometimes even older children and adults may be affected.”

About HDFD

According to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), Directorate General of Health Services, Government of India, Hand, foot and mouth disease usually affect infants and children. Although seen worldwide, it is not common in India. It is moderately contagious and is spread through direct contact with the mucus, saliva, or feces of an infected person. It typically occurs in small epidemics, usually during the summer and autumn months. The incidence of hand, foot and mouth disease has recently been on the rise in India, NICD says.

With inputs from KNO news agency

 

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