New York Prepares for Rise in Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Cases
New York is getting ready for another wave of a highly infectious virus, as reports of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) are increasing throughout the eastern United States.
While New York City is facing a Legionnaires’ outbreak that has affected 67 individuals and resulted in three fatalities, healthcare professionals on Staten Island are also expressing concern over the rise in HFMD cases.
Several cases have already been identified, and spikes in infections are seen in various states, including Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, Kansas, and West Virginia.
HFMD is caused by a viral infection that leads to painful sores on the hands, mouth, and feet, along with symptoms like fever and sore throat. It generally impacts children under ten, as adults typically have stronger immune systems that fend off the virus. However, immunocompromised adults are also at risk, and outbreaks frequently occur in schools and daycare settings.
The CDC doesn’t track HFMD, which means there’s a lack of detailed data on its spread. Still, Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez, a pediatrician from Columbia University, mentioned that she has encountered more cases recently than in the past decade. Similarly, Dr. Natasha Burgert, a pediatrician from Kansas, noted a similar trend in her practice.
Dr. Burgert commented, “What I’m seeing in my own practice mirrors the surge my colleagues are reporting nationwide.” It should be noted that HFMD is caused by the coxsackievirus 16 and currently lacks a vaccine.
This illness can spread through the air or via direct contact with infected individuals, especially if proper hygiene isn’t practiced. HFMD cases tend to spike during summer and early fall since children often congregate in places like camps, pools, and schools.
Some research hints that the warmer, humid conditions of summer may help increase the survival and spread of HFMD viruses. Infected individuals usually experience fever, vomiting, and painful rashes on their mouth, hands, and feet, typically resolving within ten days. Yet, for younger children, the illness can escalate into serious complications like seizures due to brain inflammation.
This disease is highly contagious, spreading through contact with infected bodily fluids, such as blisters, and by swallowing contaminated water. Experts indicate that water parks might be a transmission risk if proper treatment protocols are not followed. For instance, in Philadelphia, a water park temporarily closed in July after a child who visited tested positive for HFMD.
Estimates suggest that about 10 to 15 million cases of HFMD occur in the U.S. annually, particularly among children under five. Patients are advised to take over-the-counter pain relievers for fever and mouth sores and drink sufficient fluids to prevent dehydration. Children diagnosed with HFMD should refrain from contact with others for a minimum of seven days to avoid spreading the virus.
