Health Experts Warn Of Massive Hand, Foot And Mouth Disease Outbreak In Sydney

Health authorities are warning about the possibility of a massive outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease throughout Western Sydney, especially in child care centres.

This comes after four childcare centres have reported cases, and around 10 cases in a single medical centre in Westfield Liverpool, The Liverpool Leader reported.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a highly-contagious virus, but it usually passes with simple treatment like isolation, fluids and pain relief. However, it’s very uncomfortable, especially for young babies, who find it difficult to swallow fluids to ease the pain.

It presents as blisters on the inside of the mouth, hands and feet, and sometimes, elsewhere on the body, along with fever, sore throat and lethargy.

Dr Bishoy Marcus from the Liverpool My Health Medical Centre told The Liverpool Leader that the disease can take anywhere from five to seven days to settle down, and anaesthetic gels and lozenges for older children can help with sore throats.

Infected patients are most contagious during the first week of the illness, but the virus can remain in the body for weeks after the symptoms are gone. They should be kept away from public places, especially at child care and school.

Children with hand, foot and mouth disease should be kept home from childcare or school while the disease is present.

Although less likely to contract the disease, adults should also take care as it can be more severe when they do.

Severe hand, foot and mouth disease can lead to meningitis, but it’s very rare. It can also affect the lining of the brain or spinal cord, leading to more severe symptoms such as seizures, confusion, unsteadiness, and weakness, but these effects are also uncommon.