St. Thomas, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – The VI Department of Health is alerting the public about an outbreak of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) with 46 cases reported at day cares and schools on the island of St. Thomas as of Friday.

HFMD is a common illness in children under 5 years old. HFMD usually causes fever, mouth sores, and skin rash. It can spread quickly at schools and day care centers. Most children have mild symptoms for 7 to 10 days. Those symptoms may include fever, sore throat, painful mouth sores that blister and rash commonly found on the hands and feet. Complications from HFMD are rare.

HFMD is spread through droplets with virus particles made after a person sneezes, coughs, or talks, contaminated surfaces, and by fluid from blisters and stool.

“We are urging residents to take precautionary measures to stop the spread of this highly contagious virus,” said VI Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion. “Parents and caregivers should be especially vigilant in practicing good hygiene, in monitoring their children for symptoms and keeping them at home if they are ill.”

“Children with symptoms should not be sent to school or daycare and should remain at home until there is no fever for at least 24 hours without fever reducing medicine and rash or blisters have dried,” said Commissioner Encarnacion.

In an effort to prevent wider spread, the department’s Epidemiology Division is providing phone consultations and in-person visits for direct observation and infection control training at affected schools and daycares.

There is no specific treatment for HFMD as the infection typically resolves on its own. Supportive care should include:

• Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids
• Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen (for fever and discomfort)
• Soothing mouth rinses or sprays to relieve sore throat pain
• Adequate rest to support recovery

To reduce the risk of contracting or spreading HFMD at schools and daycares, and at home, the VI Department of Health recommends the following precautions:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers, using the toilet, and coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
• Help children wash their hands and keep blisters clean.
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and shared items, including toys and doorknobs using a bleach solution of 1 gallon of water with ¼ cup of bleach
• Avoid close contact with an infected person, such as hugging or kissing them.

“The VI Department of Health is not recommending school closures for HFMD,” said Dr. Esther Ellis, Territorial Epidemiologist. “Instead, we recommend enhanced hand hygiene protocols and environmental cleaning efforts for all schools and childcare settings.”

The department’s Epidemiology Division is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to provide updates as needed. For schools or providers to report a case of HFMD please email epi@doh.vi.gov.

Residents experiencing symptoms or seeking additional guidance are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider.

For more information about HFMD, visit https://www.cdc.gov/hand-foot-mouth/about/index.html