What’s happening

According to reporting from 10TV, health officials have issued an alert for Delaware County in response to reported outbreaks of hand, foot and mouth disease. Such alerts typically aim to raise awareness, accelerate prevention efforts in schools and childcare settings, and advise the public on how to reduce the spread of this common childhood illness.

While HFMD usually causes mild illness and most children recover within a week to 10 days, clusters of cases can disrupt childcare and school attendance, and can occasionally affect older children and adults. Public health alerts help ensure timely cleaning protocols, appropriate exclusion and return-to-care decisions, and clear communication with families.

About hand, foot and mouth disease

HFMD is a contagious illness most often caused by non-polio enteroviruses, commonly coxsackieviruses. It spreads through close personal contact, respiratory droplets, and contact with contaminated surfaces. Diaper changing areas and shared toys can be frequent points of transmission in childcare settings.

Common symptoms include:

• Fever and general malaise at illness onset
• Sore throat and painful mouth sores
• Rash on the hands and feet; sometimes on arms, legs, buttocks, or trunk
• In some strains, blisters may be more pronounced and can be uncomfortable

Most cases are self-limited. Children may be uncomfortable and have reduced appetite due to mouth pain. Hydration and symptom management are the primary goals of care.

Why a health alert is issued

Health alerts serve several purposes:

• Awareness: Inform families and educators to watch for symptoms and take early action.
• Prevention: Reinforce cleaning, hand hygiene, and stay-home-when-sick policies.
• Coordination: Encourage consistent communication between schools, childcare programs, healthcare providers, and public health authorities.

HFMD often increases seasonally, but outbreaks can occur at any time. Environments with close contact—like preschools, elementary schools, camps, and playgrounds—are especially susceptible.

What families can do

• Check for symptoms daily: Fever, sore throat, mouth sores, and rash on hands/feet are common signs.
• Keep sick children home: Children with fever or significant symptoms should stay home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medicines and feel well enough to participate in routine activities. Follow your school or childcare policy.
• Emphasize hand hygiene: Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds—especially after diaper changes, using the bathroom, and before eating or preparing food.
• Reduce sharing: Avoid sharing cups, utensils, towels, and personal items during outbreaks.
• Clean and disinfect: Regularly clean high-touch surfaces (doorknobs, toys, tabletops). Use an EPA-registered disinfectant and follow the label instructions for contact time and safe use.
• Manage symptoms: Offer cool fluids; soft, non-acidic foods may be better tolerated. Discuss appropriate pain/fever relief with a pediatrician, and follow dosing guidance carefully.

Guidance for schools and childcare providers

• Reinforce handwashing: Supervise hand hygiene, especially before meals and after restroom use or diapering.
• Strengthen cleaning routines: Disinfect high-touch surfaces and shared items at least daily, more often during outbreaks. Clean toys that enter children’s mouths between uses.
• Sick exclusion and return policy: Exclude children and staff with fever or who are too ill to participate. Allow return when fever-free for 24 hours, symptoms improving, and drooling from mouth sores is manageable. Follow local licensing regulations and public health guidance.
• Communication: Notify families about the situation, typical symptoms, and prevention steps while protecting individual privacy.

Recommendations for workplaces

• Encourage sick employees to stay home: Particularly those with fever or active symptoms.
• Promote hygiene: Provide accessible handwashing stations or sanitizer and frequent cleaning of shared equipment.
• Flexible policies: Allow parents to stay home if their children are sick, which can reduce broader transmission.

When to call a healthcare provider

• Signs of dehydration (e.g., very dry mouth, markedly reduced urination, lethargy), especially in young children who may avoid drinking due to mouth pain
• High or persistent fever, symptoms that worsen after a few days, or unusual rash features
• Concerns in infants, pregnant individuals, or those with weakened immune systems

A clinician can confirm the diagnosis based on symptoms and advise on supportive care. Testing is not always necessary.

Contagiousness and return-to-school

HFMD is most contagious during the first week of illness, though some viruses can be shed for weeks in stool. Practical return-to-care criteria generally include:

• Fever has resolved for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication
• Child feels well enough to participate in routine activities
• Any open sores can be covered and drooling from mouth sores is manageable
• Compliance with local school/childcare policies and health department guidance

Because shedding can continue, strict adherence to hygiene and cleaning remains important even after return.

Myths and facts

• Myth: Only toddlers get HFMD. Fact: While most common in children under 5, older kids and adults can be infected.
• Myth: Antibiotics help HFMD. Fact: HFMD is viral; antibiotics do not treat it.
• Myth: Once a child has HFMD, they won’t get it again. Fact: Different viruses can cause HFMD, so repeat episodes are possible.

Cleaning and disinfection basics

• Clean visibly soiled surfaces with detergent and water before disinfecting.
• Use an EPA-registered disinfectant and follow the product’s label for dilution, contact time, and ventilation.
• Disinfect high-touch surfaces frequently: doorknobs, light switches, faucets, counters, electronics (per manufacturer guidance), and shared toys.
• Launder linens and clothing in hot water when possible and dry thoroughly.
• Practice careful diaper-changing hygiene and dispose of diapers properly; wash hands after.

Staying informed

For updates and official guidance, consult:

• Your local health department (e.g., Delaware Public Health District)
• State health resources (e.g., Ohio Department of Health)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
• Local media updates from 10TV for community-specific reporting

If your child’s school or childcare facility provides specific instructions or criteria, follow those in coordination with your healthcare provider’s advice.