Durban parents are calling for the immediate closure of Lenham Primary School in Phoenix as the number of hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases surge. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has confirmed 195 reported cases across the province, with 89 of them traced to the school. Concerned parents fear that continued in-person learning may exacerbate the outbreak, endangering more children.
Alarming Rise in Cases
The outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease in KwaZulu-Natal has escalated rapidly. Over the past few days, reported cases increased from just 36 on Saturday to a staggering 195 overnight. The eThekwini district has been the hardest hit, accounting for 147 of these cases. Additional infections have been recorded in King Cetshwayo (25 cases), uGu (20 cases), and uMkhanyakude (three cases) districts.
KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane visited Lenham Primary School on Tuesday, highlighting the urgency of the situation. According to Simelane, hand foot and mouth disease has primarily affected young children in primary schools and daycare centres, with many students exhibiting flu-like symptoms, blisters, and swollen hands.
Parents Demand Immediate Action
With the outbreak spreading quickly among schoolchildren, parents have expressed deep concerns about their children’s safety. Many are calling for an immediate suspension of classes at affected schools to prevent further transmission. One concerned parent shared their anxiety over the situation, stating:
“It’s all about the safety of our kids, and we are really concerned that the school has recorded such a high number of cases. If the kids continue to come to school, obviously the disease will spread among other children, and we don’t want that.”
Parents are eagerly awaiting the outcome of discussions between school officials and the health department, hoping for decisive action to curb the outbreak.
Urgent Interventions by the Health Department
The KwaZulu-Natal Health Department has deployed outbreak teams to investigate the situation at affected schools. Officials are working closely with school administrators to implement containment measures and provide health education on hand foot and mouth disease.
Simelane reassured parents that the department is treating the outbreak with the seriousness it deserves. She acknowledged that while HFMD is a common viral infection, its rapid spread in school settings is a significant cause for concern. The department is urging parents and teachers to be vigilant and to report any symptoms immediately.
Understanding Hand Foot and Mouth Disease
Hand foot and mouth disease is caused by a group of enteroviruses, primarily affecting infants and young children. The infection is known to spread through direct contact with saliva, mucus, or fluid from blisters. Symptoms typically include:
- Fever and sore throat
- Painful blisters on the hands, feet, and inside the mouth
- General fatigue and loss of appetite
While HFMD is not usually severe, it can lead to complications if left untreated. The virus spreads rapidly in close-contact environments, such as schools and daycare centres, making containment efforts crucial.
Calls for Preventive Measures
Health officials are urging parents and caregivers to take precautionary measures to prevent further spread. Recommended actions include:
- Keeping infected children at home until they recover fully
- Encouraging frequent handwashing and sanitisation
- Disinfecting toys and surfaces in shared spaces
- Avoiding close contact with infected individuals
Despite these recommendations, many parents feel that temporarily closing the school is the most effective way to protect their children.
What’s Next?
As the KwaZulu-Natal Health Department continues its investigations, parents remain on edge, awaiting further guidance from authorities. The outcome of ongoing discussions between the health and education departments will determine whether affected schools, including Lenham Primary, will be closed to mitigate the spread of hand foot, and mouth disease.
For now, parents and educators are urged to remain cautious and adhere to health guidelines to prevent further infections. The KwaZulu-Natal government is expected to make an official announcement on the way forward in the coming days.
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