Allentown Central Catholic warns of cases of hand, foot and mouth disease

• Four cases of hand, foot and mouth disease have been confirmed at Allentown Central Catholic High School
• While usually not dangerous, the disease is highly contagious
• Symptoms include fever, mouth sores and body rash

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Officials at Central Catholic High School notified parents and families Wednesday that four cases of hand, foot and mouth disease have been identified throughout the school since it began in August.

In an email, Principal Randy Rice said though the disease is not one that must be reported to the health bureau, the alarming factor is that the disease spreads so quickly.

"Please keep an eye on your student for any rashes that may appear on their bodies," Rice wrote, "If you have any questions, please contact your doctor's office."

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, hand, foot and mouth disease is most common in summer and fall, and is an enterovirus transmitted from person to person through throat secretions and fluid from blisters.

"People with HFMD are usually most contagious during the first week that they are sick," according to CDC officials.

"However, people can still sometimes spread the virus to others for days or weeks after symptoms go away, or even if they have no symptoms at all."

Symptoms usually include fever, mouth sores and skin rash that is commonly found on the hands and feet.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is common in infants and children younger than 5. Most children have mild symptoms for up to 10 days.

Prevention includes:

• Handwashing
• Avoiding contact with people who are sick
• Avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth
• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces

Students can return to school when they have no fever, have no uncontrolled drooling with mouth sores and feel well enough to participate in classroom activities.

There is no vaccine for the virus that causes hand, foot and mouth disease, according to the CDC.