Earlier this month, the Department of Public Health and Social Services confirmed one reported case of HFMD. However, reports could be misleading as physicians are not required to report cases to the health department.
Variety called several pediatric offices all over the island and all confirmed they have seen a number of “suspect” cases of the rash-like disease. Most of the pediatric offices stated they have seen about 10 cases each in the past month.
FHP pediatric clinic confirmed seeing a number of “suspect” cases, but an employee stated the clinic is not required to report the disease to DPHSS because it is “not a drastically contagious disease.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, HFMD is a contagious disease characterized by blister-like eruptions in the mouth and/or skin rash. The disease mainly affects children below the age of 10, but it can also occur in adults.
The disease typically starts with a fever and malaise accompanied with a sore throat. One to two days after the fever onset, painful sores in the mouth develop and/or a non-itchy rash with raised red spots appear on the palms of hands and soles of feet. In some children, the rash can appear on the buttocks or genitalia.
According to the CDC, the disease is spread from person to person by direct contact.
There are no specific treatments for HFMD, but following good hygiene practices can lower the risk of infection, which includes frequent hand-washing, disinfecting contaminated surfaces with chlorine bleach solution, and avoiding close contact with infected persons.
