Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease cases surge in KZN – NICD says no need to panic

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) says there “is no need for the public to panic” because the Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease “outbreak remains under control.”

KwaZulu-Natal started recording cases of HFMD in early February. The first confirmed cases were in schools in the northern parts of the province in the Phoenix area in Durban.

The health department has since called for calm as the number of cases has surged to 195. Here’s all you need to know.

CALLS FOR CALM AS HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CASES INCREASE

NICD explained in a statement issued on 18 February 2025, that the institute was working together with the health department in monitoring the current situation.

It’s also “providing necessary support to the province to contain the spread of this fairly common viral infection, which mainly affects infants and children.”

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is caused by enteroviruses and occurs in summer and autumn. Outbreaks usually take place at schools, day-care centres and crèches.

Children younger than 10 years are mostly at risk. Also, adults with weak immune systems could be infected. The disease can spread from person-to-person and through contaminated objects and faeces.

NICD CALLS FOR VIGILANCE

Despite NICD stating the situation was currently under control, it has called for vigilance. It urged parents and caregivers “to be vigilant in case their children display common symptoms” of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease.

“A small minority of individuals with HFMD may need to be admitted to hospital for treatment of complications. Infected individuals with severe disease or complications must go to the nearest healthcare facility,” the statement stated.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

The institute further revealed the common Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease symptoms to look out for. They are:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Small blisters on the inside of the mouth, sides of the tongue, palms of the hands and soles of the feet

Those with Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease can recover without having to take medication or treatment. Symptoms usually clear after seven to 10 days without medication.

“Parents are urged to keep symptomatic children at home until they recover to prevent further spread of the disease,” the statement further read.

“Although HFMD is not part of the notifiable medical conditions, the department remains on high alert to monitor the number of cases in KZN and to detect outbreaks, if experienced, in other parts of the country,” it concluded.

HAVE YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW BEEN AFFECTED BY THE HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE OUTBREAK?

Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.

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