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

Botswana has reported 50 cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease, predominantly affecting children under five in Gaborone and Francistown. The Ministry of Health reassures that the outbreak is manageable, with common symptoms and transmission through contact. Hygiene practices are advised to prevent spread, and ongoing monitoring will occur.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) in Botswana has reported an outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease, with 50 cases identified nationwide. The majority of these cases have been confirmed in Gaborone and Francistown, primarily affecting children aged five and under. Christopher Nyanga, the permanent secretary of the MoH, reassured the public that the situation is currently manageable despite the cases reported.

According to Mr. Nyanga, symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease include fever, sore throat, rashes with blisters on the hands, feet, and inside the mouth, alongside general malaise. He emphasized that transmission occurs through direct contact with the saliva, nasal secretions, blister fluids, or feces of infected individuals, making it especially contagious in daycare and school environments.

While the Ministry acknowledges the outbreak, it asserts that HFMD is generally mild and self-limiting, typically resolving within seven to ten days without complications. Most affected children recover without long-term effects. The ministry has recommended promoting stringent hygiene practices, including regular hand washing, cleaning, disinfection, and isolating infected individuals.

Ongoing monitoring of the situation is planned, with the Ministry vowing to continuously keep the public informed. According to the WHO, hand, foot, and mouth disease predominantly affects children, though it can occur in adults and adolescents, manifesting as mild symptoms like fever and oral sores, and potentially leading to severe conditions in rare cases.

In summary, Botswana’s recent outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease has led to the identification of 50 cases, primarily among young children in two cities. Although Mr. Nyanga emphasizes that the condition is manageable and typically mild, the Ministry of Health has issued hygiene recommendations to curtail further spread. Continuous monitoring and public advisories will remain crucial in managing this health concern effectively.

Original Source: www.mmegi.bw