While active transmission is still prevalent, the Virgin Islands (VI) has seen a decline in local cases of Hand Food and Mouth Disease according to local Epidemiologist with the Virgin Islands Government, Ms Harmony Brewley. Photo: Internet Source

From left: Host Cromwell Smith aka 'Edju En Ka', Chief Environmental Officer, Mr Lionel E. Michael and Epidemiologist, Ms Harmony Brewley on Umoja on ZBVI 780 AM on Thursday, December 5, 2019. Photo: Facebook

This announcement was made during the Thursday, December 5, 2019, edition of 'Umoja' with host Cromwell Smith aka 'Edju En Ka', along with Chief Environmental Officer, Mr  Lionel E. Michael on ZBVI 780 AM, where Ms Brewley warned that while children are highly susceptible adults too can be infected.

Adults can get disease - Ms Brewley 

"I would say it is an everybody disease, but primarily affect those under the age of 5-10. Adults can get it too, but adults don't usually show symptoms of having Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease," she said, noting that adults mostly pass on the virus without knowledge, to other adults and even children.

She said no signs or symptoms would be seen in adults; however, according to Brewley this presents a danger because it means the virus would not be visible in adults.

"We are still having active transmission of the disease, but thank God... through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Health, Environmental Health, Health Services Authority and the daycares... Ministry of Education as well, we are started to see a decline in the number of cases,” she said.

According to Ms Brewley, both herself and the Chief Environmental Officer, Mr  Lionel E. Michael, have been engaged in community sensitisations and clinical presentations and also educating the public on more information on the disease that may not be known. 

"For example, the virus can remain in the faeces of the infected person for up to eight weeks, so yes the blisters may have dried on the child," but the virus is still present, she said.

Dealing with the disease  

The Epidemiologist noted that while the cause of the virus in the territory is still relatively unknown in terms of what causes the bacteria to proliferate, it could be that new strains are being imported into the territory; however, no treatments are available. 

"Personal hygiene remains the main preventative measure," Chief Environmental Officer Mr Michael said. Washing hands thoroughly, he noted, is the first step since infection can travel with children and items.

Mr Michael also underscored that cleaning and sanitising are as extremely important, while noting that items like doorknobs, beds, toys and bathrooms must be cleaned and sanitised when cleaning the home or daycare centres via household bleach or vinegar.