Many children in Steinbach have recently contracted Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, causing some concern within the community.

Despite talk of a potential outbreak, Michael Routledge, the Medical Officer of Health for Southern Manitoba, says there does not seem to be an unusual number of people infected in the Steinbach area. Though, he concedes, because the disease is not reportable, exact stats are difficult to come by.

Routledge describes the virus: “It’s a disease that you will most often see in younger kids, typically symptoms start with a fever and then you’ll get a spotty rash, as the name would imply, on your hands, feet, and around your mouth.” Routledge suggests that the disease does spread quickly in close-quarters environments, like daycare centers, which is why people could mistake it for an outbreak.

“There are not really any treatment or vaccines for it,” indicates Routledge, “the most important thing, because it is easily transmissible, is washing your hands and other surfaces in the area.”

If possible, Routledge advises anyone with the disease to stay home and rest, both to recuperate faster and to avoid transmitting the virus onto others. He adds, it is not a terribly serious illness and symptoms should dissipate in around 8 days.