Mystery illness a virus

Results from Australia have shown that the mystery illness currently affecting small children in the capital city is that of a virus that causes hand, foot and mouth disease.

This is after children were recently taken to Health centres, hospitals and clinics with symptoms ranging from slight fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, blisters in the mouth and on the hands and feet and a sore mouth for a few days.

According to the Health Ministry, the laboratory confirmation from their Australian counterparts that there are very few viruses that can cause the foot and mouth disease and it is not the same one that causes the disease in animals.

The results show that the strain of virus found in Fiji is Coxsackie Virus A6 which causes mild illness with all patients recovering within 7-10 days without medical treatment.

There is no specific treatment or vaccine against Hand, Foot and Mouth however Paracetamol may be given for relief from pain from mouth sores, fever and aches.

The Health Ministry is calling on the public to practice hygiene especially when dealing with children and is also asking parents to wash hands especially after diaper changes.

Hand Foot and mouth outbreaks have been reported in countries like China, Taiwan, Korea and sometimes in Australia.


Story by: Paradise Tabucala