Viral infection sweeps through Durban schools

HEALTH authorities have called on Durban residents to follow Covid-19 hygiene protocols as an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) sweeps across the city.

Umhlanga, Phoenix and Greenwood Park all had confirmed cases this week, and the Independent on Saturday also spoke to a parent in Morningside whose child had also been infected.

By midday yesterday at least 36 cases of HFMD had been recorded at several primary schools and daycare centres in the north of Durban, the provincial Health Department said.

Allingham Primary and Whetstone Primary in Phoenix sent out notices to parents confirming they had pupils who had tested positive. At Whetstone Primary a Grade R pupil and his Grade 1 brother were both infected.

Babongile Mhlongo the provincial director for Environmental Health and Communicable Disease Control said HFMD was a common viral infection which mainly affected infants and children, usually in creches and primary schools.

“So educators really need to ensure that there's good hygiene because it's a contact kind of an infection…so you need to make sure that hands are regularly washed and try to avoid the sharing of eating utensils such as cutlery, cups and toothbrushes. And we need to regularly clean surfaces and other shared items such as toys. So I think we're going back to what we used to do during COVID-19 where we're saying people need to wash hands.” She said it wasn’t necessary to keep children with mild symptoms at home but once they developed blisters they had to stay at home for three to five days.

While most children present with mild infections, for Cridin Sathyamargum the past week has been harrowing. His two year old daughter Shiloh became so ill that she was hospitalised.

“I thought I was going to lose my child. It was very very emotional,” he said.

According to Sathyamargum, they initially thought that she had the flu and the doctor prescribed antibiotics. When the blisters appeared they thought it was an allergic reaction to the medication. But on Sunday when the blisters developed pus they knew it was time to take her to hospital where she was placed in isolation. She was discharged on Thursday.

“Her entire mouth, her tongue was swollen and her throat. When a child cries you try to figure out what's wrong, and she was crying in such a way where she was helpless. It was now the third day where she hasn't eaten or even drunk a glass of water or even a sip of even soup. As parents, we take it hard because how do you put a plate of food in your mouth and your child hasn't consumed anything,” said Sathyamargum.

Seelan Nair says last Friday his son had earache, by Saturday he couldn't eat and then on Sunday they rushed him to the doctor. By then he had developed blisters in his mouth.

“While we were at the doctors the parents from the creche called us and told us that their children were getting admitted. I understand it's an outbreak, I cannot blame the crèche or anybody. What we're supposed to do is take extra precautions so that it doesn't transmit to other children,” said Nair.

A Morningside mom who preferred to remain anonymous said that she has 2-year old twin boys but only one of them had HFMD.

“I know that some kids get it worse than others. But since yesterday, all the sores have turned into blisters and are starting to pop. So now he's in a bit of discomfort. They've just started play school and you know, they've just turned two so they are all over the place. Even when we go out, they're wanting to run everywhere and touch everything,” she said.

Ntokozo Maphisa, the provincial health department said: “We are concerned about these growing numbers, but in the same breath we would like to appeal for calm. “We urge parents to ensure that children have no direct contact with persons who are ill. Those who are affected by HFMD, with severe disease or complications, are urged to visit the nearest healthcare facility. Learners who are symptomatic of HFMD should be kept at home until they feel better.”

Yesterday eThekwini Municipality called for calm amidst the outbreak and said there were six confirmed cases at a school in Phoenix. The children were in Grades 1,2 and 3 and they were all under the age of 10. Gugu Sisilana the municipality’s spokesperson said that the situation was under control. She said the city’s Area Based Outbreak Response Team was closely monitoring the situation.

“HFMD is a common illness affecting infants and young children, often occurring in small outbreaks during summer and autumn. It should not be confused with Foot and Mouth Disease, which affects animals.

“HFMD is a highly contagious viral infection which spreads through contact with the mouth, nose, and eyes. Symptoms typically appear between three to six days after exposure and last for seven to 10 days. Parents are advised to visit the nearest clinic if their children show symptoms,” Sisilana said.

The Independent on Saturday