What You Need to Know About Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
August 7, 2018
Several cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) have recently been reported by child care programs across North Dakota. Child Care Aware Health Consultant, Sarah Myers, reminds child care providers and parents to follow these guidelines to prevent the spread of this viral illness.
- Handwashing is very important for adults and children – especially after wiping noses, after toileting/diapering, after handling mouthed toys, before/after eating, etc.
- Disinfect the diaper pad after each diaper change since the HMFD germs are in the child’s poop
- Pick up mouthed toys as soon as a child is done mouthing them and disinfect them before they are used again.
- Bleach solution is effective against HFMD. It is recommended to use a 1:10 bleach to water ratio for the bleach solution and allow 5 minutes of contact time. It is important to rinse the item/surface with water after using the bleach solution if the item/surface could be mouthed by a child or used as a food contact surface. The program/provider can return to their regular recipe or product after the cases of HFMD are gone.
View this resource from the North Dakota Department of Health for more information and exclusion guidelines.
Child care programs/providers with several cases of HFMD should contact their local health department to speak to the epidemiologist or the state health department 800-472-2180 or 701-328-2378
Programs/providers can can also contact Child Care Aware Health Consultant, Sarah Myers at sarahm@ndchildcare.org | 701-476-6854.
