Key facts

Transmission

Direct contact with the saliva, nose mucous, blister fluid or faeces of an infected person
Swallowing recreational water (for example in a swimming pool)

Symptoms

Fever, reduced desire to eat, tiredness, sore throat.
After a few days, sores appear in the mouth.
Skin rash with red spots, and sometimes blisters, on the palms of the hands and bottoms of the feet.
The rash may also appear on the knees, elbows, buttocks or genital area.

Prevention

Wash hands with soap (both caregivers and children)
Clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched frequently and dirty items, including toys
Identify sick people rapidly before they spread the disease to others
Ensure access to safe, clean drinking water
Use appropriate sanitation facilities (sound, clean latrines)
Employ social mobilization and behaviour change communication

Vulnerable people

Usually affects infants and children younger than five years of age
Adults with weakened immune systems

If an epidemic occurs

Detect cases rapidly and refer them to health facilities
Isolate sick people (keep them separated from healthy people)
Promote handwashing with soap (by both caregivers and children)
Promote recommended environmental hygiene and cleaning practices
Promote use of appropriate sanitation facilities (sound, clean latrines)
Ensure safe, clean drinking water (including clean, covered water containers in households)
Increase social mobilization and behaviour change communication

Community-based assessment - questions

Make a map of the community and mark the information you gather on the map. Record other details.

When did people start to fall sick with HFMD?
How many people have fallen sick with HFMD? Where?
How many people have died from HFMD? Where?
How many people live in the affected community or area? How many children under five years of age live in the area?
Who and where are the vulnerable people?
How common is breastfeeding?
Where do people obtain their drinking water? Do people do anything to treat their water?
What sanitation facilities (including communal latrines) are available? Do people use them?
What handwashing facilities are available? Do they have soap?
Where do people go for water recreation? Is that water likely to be contaminated by faeces?
Where are the local health facilities and services? (Include traditional and community carers.)
What are the community’s habits, practices and beliefs about caring for and feeding sick people? When babies and infants are sick, do women continue to breastfeed them?
Is a social mobilization or health promotion programme in place?
What are the community’s habits, practices and beliefs about hygiene, sanitation and water?
Which sources of information do people use most?
Are rumours or is misinformation about HFMD spreading in the community?

Volunteer actions

01. Community-based surveillance 02. Community mapping 03. Communicating with the community 04. Community referral to health facilities 05. Volunteer protection and safety 12. Managing fever 19. Psychosocial support 28. Physical distancing 29. Hygiene promotion 30. Clean, safe household water 32. Sanitation 34. Handwashing with soap 43. Social mobilization and behaviour change