Botswana Reports 50 Cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Outbreak

Botswana has seen an outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease with 50 current cases primarily in children under five. The Ministry of Health indicates symptoms are manageable and suggests stringent hygiene practices to control the spread, especially in educational settings.

Botswana’s Ministry of Health has reported a recent outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), recording 50 cases across the nation. This outbreak has predominantly affected children under five years old, particularly in the cities of Gaborone and Francistown, where suspected cases are mainly detected in pre-schools.

Permanent Secretary Christopher Nyanga emphasized the current situation is manageable as only 50 cases have been reported. Symptoms observed include fever, sore throat, and rashes with blisters on the hands, feet, and inside the mouth, alongside general feelings of unease.

HFMD spreads through direct contact with infected individuals’ saliva, nasal secretions, blister fluids, or feces. Nyanga noted that the disease is highly contagious in environments such as schools and daycare centers.

Despite the outbreak, Nyanga reassured the public that HFMD generally presents mild and self-limiting symptoms that resolve within seven to ten days without causing complications. Most affected children typically recover fully without enduring effects.

In response to the situation, the Ministry of Health has recommended basic hygiene practices including regular hand washing with soap, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, and isolating infected individuals. They also plan to keep monitoring the outbreak and will update the public as necessary.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines hand, foot, and mouth disease as “a common infectious disease that occurs most often in children, but can also occur in adolescents and occasionally in adults. In most cases, the disease is mild and self-limiting, with common symptoms including fever, painful sores in the mouth, and a rash with blisters on hands, feet, and buttocks. However, more severe symptoms such as meningitis, encephalitis, and polio-like paralysis may occur.”

The recent outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease in Botswana, affecting mainly young children in Gaborone and Francistown, has been reported as manageable. With 50 cases recorded, symptoms appear mild and self-limiting. Adhering to hygiene measures can help control its spread as health officials continue to monitor the situation closely.

Original Source: www.mmegi.bw