As a precaution, district leaders are making families aware of four recently confirmed cases of Coxsackievirus (hand, foot, and mouth disease) at Abram Lansing Elementary School.
This is a viral infection caused by a strain of the Coxsackie virus. Initial symptoms include fever, poor appetite, runny nose and sore throat and can appear 3-5 days after exposure. A blister-like rash that, as the name implies, is most often seen on the hands, feet and mouth, usually develops 1-2 days after the initial symptoms. It usually occurs in children under 10 years old, but occasionally can occur in young adults.
If your child develops these symptoms, you should contact your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Any confirmed cases should be reported to the school nurse’s office.
The affected students have seen their physician for treatment. Appropriate cleaning measures are being taken in classrooms as well as in the common areas of the school.
Good personal hygiene is the most effective way to prevent illness. This consists of proper hand washing, especially after using the bathroom and before eating and drinking. Parents/guardians can help by reinforcing these practices at home.
For more information about this virus, please see the fact sheet provided by the New York State Department of Health.