Schools in Ahmedabad are in dire straits as parents have demanded the resumption of online classes to prevent the spread of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD), the incidence of which has increased over the past two weeks, especially among students in pre-primary and early grades.
“We expect the infection cycle to break over the weekend, followed by a few public holidays in the coming week. However, we are waiting until Monday to decide whether or not to start online classes,” Manan Choksi, Executive Director of Udgam Group of Schools, told The Indian Express.
HFMD is a self-limiting viral infection and usually resolves within two weeks. Fever and malaise, along with rashes, are the most commonly reported symptoms of the disease.
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Following the spike in cases, particularly in the last seven to ten days, parents have been advised not to send their children to school even if they are mildly ill or show any symptoms. The Udgam Group of Schools – the nursery school chain with almost 1,500 pre-school children – has sent children with symptoms home.
Ahmedabad-based pediatrician Dr Mona Desai says there is an increase in HFMD cases in the city. “We are seeing an increase in infections – both viral and fungal – in children after the monsoons. Children play in the rain and the lack of proper physical hygiene often causes these infections. In case of HFMD, blisters or rashes may appear on the hand, feet and also the elbows. However, Dr. Desai adds that, anecdotally, HFMD cases reported so far this monsoon from private clinics are fewer than those seen last year.
Choksi, who is also president of the Association for the Advancement of Prominent Schools, said cases were also being reported at other schools. “We haven’t seen such a resurgence of this disease in all these years. The problem also affects pre-primary classes in several other schools,” he added.
Bodakdev Children’s School has sent several notices to parents asking them not to send children with symptoms to school. “We even assured them that the identity of the child would not be revealed to avoid any kind of social boycott. It is not a new disease but after the Covid pandemic, parents have understood the option of online lessons (because of) which they are asking for after this epidemic of HFMD”, said the school director Bodakdev, Amoli Patel.
Additionally, there have been cases where parents underreported or concealed the child’s illness. “There may be cases, but the children are not coming to school,” JG International School principal Kavita Sharma said.
A public hospital pediatrician, speaking on condition of anonymity, added that while OPD cases have not seen an increase in the incidence of HFMD in public hospitals, there is an increase in the number being reported. by private paediatricians. “Since the virus enters through the mouth, it is important to ensure that children keep their hands away from the mouth. The key is to avoid contact and contamination, ”added the pediatrician.
“We are also seeing misdiagnosis of cases of fungal infection in some cases, such as HFMD. Fungal infections are usually localized to the exposure area and present as blisters or lesions,” said the Dr. Desai.
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