HFMD outbreak- Take measures to control situation

As the Covid-19 pandemic has already created havoc in the lives of thousands of people in Jammu and Kashmir, the outbreak of Hand, Foot and Mouth disease (HFMD) has once again created a panic among the masses as the first 13 cases have been reported from a single educational institute in Srinagar—the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, putting the health officials on toes to control the situation. Although the HFMD is not lethal like COVID-19, the ways and means to control the virus are the same as the pandemic. It needs proper isolation and hygiene to prevent the disease from spreading. Therefore, any delay in identifying the suspects at this juncture would create a disastrous situation in Jammu and Kashmir as witnessed in the past. However, the 13 cases in an educational institute have pressed an alarm button for the administration as well as for the concerned school as well. There is a need to begin the process of identifying the suspected cases from the particular school and later from the families of the affected students so that the suspects or the affected could be identified well on time and the situation is controlled without paving way for the disease to spread. As the health officials have started the process to identify the suspects, the people should also take preventive measures and especially intake plenty of fluid to fight the disease well on time. Besides, the health department should further gear up to prevent the diseases from spreading.