URGENT MEDIA STATEMENT

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease: Public Clarification Windhoek Gymnasium has been made aware of a suspected outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease within the school community. The school wishes to clarify, as a matter of urgency, that hand, foot and mouth disease is not the same as livestock foot-and-mouth disease, which has recently been reported in parts of South Africa. Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common viral illness that occurs mainly in young children. It can spread between people through close contact, saliva, nasal secretions, blister fluid, contaminated surfaces and poor hand hygiene. It does not represent the livestock disease affecting cattle, sheep, goats or pigs. The affected pre-school classes have been closed as a precautionary measure, and parents have been asked to monitor their children for symptoms, including fever, sore throat, reduced appetite, mouth sores and small blisters on the hands or feet. The school is taking appropriate hygiene and precautionary steps and will continue to communicate directly with parents. Parents are requested not to panic, but to remain alert and keep children at home if symptoms appear. Issued by: Windhoek Gymnasium Management The post URGENT MEDIA STATEMENT appeared first on Informanté .