The Ministry of Health called on May 1 for the public to adopt preventive habits such as regular handwashing to help stop the spread of hand, foot, and mouth disease among children. César Munayco Escate, director of the National Center for Epidemiology, Prevention and Disease Control (CDC), said parents, caregivers, and teachers should strengthen prevention measures against this illness.
“Handwashing after every activity will help reduce the risk that our children may become ill,” Munayco said.
Munayco explained that this disease mainly affects children under five years old and is caused by viruses from the enterovirus family such as coxsackie. Common symptoms include fever, general discomfort, sores or small lesions in the mouth, blisters on hands and feet, and skin rashes. The presence of these symptoms can lead to mouth and throat lesions that may cause children to refuse food or liquids.
The CDC recommends several actions: washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom or coughing; covering coughs or sneezes with a forearm; avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth; cleaning surfaces like door handles and children’s toys; not sharing personal items such as utensils; keeping affected children at home to avoid spreading infection in schools or childcare centers; taking sick children to health facilities if symptoms appear so epidemiological surveillance can begin.
The Ministry also reminds families they can receive free information any time through Línea 113 Salud option 3. Anyone noticing warning signs is advised to go immediately to their nearest health center.
