Durban: Teachers and parents are calling for clearer guidelines from the Departments of Health and Education on how to curb the spread of the Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) outbreak in KwaZulu-Natal, as cases continue to surge.
On Monday, the number of confirmed infections rose from 168 to 195, with all 27 new cases recorded in the eThekwini district. While the Department of Health has urged schools to strengthen hygiene practices, teacher unions and parent bodies said more structured intervention is needed.
South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) provincial secretary Nomarashiya Caluza said teachers are growing increasingly anxious as they are unsure how to manage the outbreak.
“Teachers are concerned about the outbreak, and some have been calling us because they have no idea how to handle the situation. Our members do not believe the department is doing enough to share information regarding the disease,” said Caluza.
What you need to know
According to the Department of Health and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases:
◆Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a common viral infection, which mainly affects infants and children.
◆Common signs and symptoms include fever, sore throat, tiredness, loss of appetite and small blisters on the inside of the mouth, sides of the tongue, palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
◆Children who are symptomatic should be kept at home until they feel better. Those with severe symptoms/complications should seek medical assistance.
◆Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is spread by direct contact, or from droplets from the nose or mouth of an infected person or through contaminated objects.
Caluza added that Sadtu wants the department to issue proper guidelines for teachers and food handlers in schools.
“Guidelines will help schools to manage and mitigate the situation. For now, we have not been informed of cases of teachers being infected.”
She also revealed that Sadtu raised concerns with the Head of Department (HOD) for Education on Sunday, questioning whether there had been communication with the Department of Health.
“At that time, there was none. It was only in the evening that the HOD shared a circular from the Department of Health,” she said.
The National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) expressed similar concerns, saying the rapid spread of HFMD in schools is unprecedented.
“We have not experienced this in the past. Teachers are trying their best to educate learners about the disease and what precautions to take,” said Therona Moodley, Naptosa’s provincial CEO.
She said teachers had been urged to be extra alert and to communicate with parents about symptoms.
“The department could do more very quickly to educate and initiate awareness campaigns,” she said.
KwaZulu-Natal Parents Association chairperson Vee Gani said while schools were implementing hygiene measures, many parents do not believe enough is being done to prevent the spread of the virus.
“In schools that have reported cases, I know that mechanisms like sanitising are in place, but it may not be adequate. Schools are trying, but because this is such a contagious disease, it’s difficult to prevent its spread,” he said.
Gani believes that schools need more support from the government and suggested that in severe cases, temporary school closures may be the only way to contain the outbreak.
“If you want to truly minimise the risk, the only way is to close the school. But that comes with its own challenges.”
He said that while some schools had been sending information to parents, the communication had been inconsistent.
“Some schools have informed parents about the symptoms and advised them to keep children with signs of illness at home. But I don’t think all schools have done enough. More awareness and information-sharing is needed,” said Gani.
KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane said that HFMD can be contained through hygiene measures, urging parents and teachers to be extra cautious.
“The key to preventing HFMD is hygiene, hygiene, hygiene. Frequent hand washing, no sharing of utensils, and regularly disinfecting surfaces can help contain this outbreak before it worsens,” she said.
Speaking during a visit to Lenham Primary on Tuesday morning, Simelane said: “We are deeply concerned about the rapid rise in the number of HFMD cases in our province. On Saturday, we had 36 cases and this rose to 168 by Monday. Overnight the cases went up to 195. All 27 new cases are from the eThekwini district.
“The 195 confirmed cases emanate from primary schools and daycare centres. And here at Lenham Primary, which is the most affected school in the province, we have at least 89 cases. This is why we are here, to see the situation first-hand, to offer our support, and to ensure that every possible measure is being taken to contain the spread of this disease.”