Cases of hand, foot and mouth disease on the rise in Selma and Dallas County
The number of cases of the highly contagious hand, foot and mouth disease is on the rise in the Selma-Dallas County area.
Doctors say it’s a common childhood disease caused by viruses.
Symptoms may include fever, skin rashes on the hands and feet and painful mouth sores.
“It’s typically found in children although adults can get it as well,” Dr. Ephraim Canngay of the UAB Selma Family Medicine Clinic told Action 8 News. “I can’t stress this enough, hand washing — hand washing — hand washing, is the key to prevent yourself from getting it, or if you get it, to spread it to other people. Usually it passes within a week, maybe a little bit longer than that. And the vast majority of cases do not require hospitalization.”
Doctors say if you or your child is experiencing symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease, contact a physician immediately.
As Action 8 News has reported, last month, Life Academy, a charter school in Montgomery, closed temporarily following several cases of the disease.
