EPIDEMIC DENIAL
Health authorities refute scaremongering reports of hand-foot-and-mouth disease outbreak
REGIONAL health authorities came out on Tuesday to deny an outbreak of hand-foot-and-mouth disease in the Marina Baixa area.
In a public notice by the district health department, the authorities refuted scaremongering reports that had appeared in local media claiming an epidemic had broken out in Benidorm and Altea.
Medical experts admitted a small outbreak of the disease - which mainly affects two to 10-year-olds - affected seven children in an infants school in Altea a month ago. But all the children have since been treated and have recovered.
However, they denied other cases in the Marina Baixa. They pointed out that every year in late summer and early autumn, isolated cases are detected. The seven reported in Altea are still below the average - therefore the epidemic outbreak alarm is completely disproportionate.
In any case, hand-foot-and-mouth disease (FHMD) is a mild process that is cured without leaving permanent effects.
The first symptoms of this contagious virus are fever, general physical discomfort, loss of appetite and a sore throat.
This is followed by the appearance of small blisters around the mouth, and then on the hands and feet (hence the name).
As soon as these symptoms appear, parents are strongly advised to take their children to a paediatrician to be diagnosed.
There is no specific treatment for it and doctors tend to prescribe medication to reduce the symptoms and keep the fever under control.
Drinking liquids is essential and a full recovery is made within seven to 10 days.
There can be rare complications such as dehydration or fever convulsions.
HFMD is generally caused by the Coxsackie virus, which is transmitted through direct contact with an infected person who may be talking or coughing, or via saliva, mucus or faeces.
Preventive measures include avoiding contact with those infected (avoid kissing, cuddling or handshakes), frequently washing hands (especially after changing nappies), disinfecting objects used by those infected, and not sharing food, drinks, clothes, cutlery or towels.
Parents are advised not to take their children to school during the first seven days - when HFMD is most contagious.
HFMD has occasionally been reported in adults in places with high densities of people, such as college dorms.