Six schoolchildren have contracted the hand, foot and mouth disease, a common viral illness, but there is no cause for concern, according to health promotion director Charmaine Gauci.

She pointed out that the disease had nothing to do with the infamous foot and mouth disease, which only affected cattle.

Since the hand, foot and mouth disease was viral, antibiotics were not indicated, she added.

The health authorities were aware of the cases and took the necessary measures to limit spread, Dr Gauci said. Concerned parents contacted The Times saying there was an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease in their child’s school.

However, Dr Gauci insisted there was no need for alarm and explained that this was a common illness among young children.

The health authorities said the three primary schools involved were provided with the necessary information on what to do to prevent the disease from spreading.

Information leaflets were distributed to all parents by the authorities whose children attended the same class where there were confirmed cases. It was also important not to attend school when ill – just like when suffering from a common cold or flu – until it passed, Dr Gauci said.

A common illness in infants and children, the virus causes fever and blister-like eruptions in the mouth and/or a skin rash.

It tends to occur in small outbreaks in nursery schools or kindergarten, usually in the autumn, and affects children below the age of 10. It rarely occurs in adults.

The illness is typically mild and nearly all patients recover in seven to 10 days without medical treatment.

The facts

Hand, foot and mouth disease is spread through nose and throat secretions such as saliva, sputum, nasal mucus, blister fluid or stools of infected persons.

You can lower the risk of being infected by washing hands often, disinfecting dirty surfaces and soiled items and avoiding close contact such as kissing, hugging or sharing eating utensils or cups with infected people.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is often confused with the foot and mouth disease, which affects cattle, sheep and swine. The two diseases are caused by different viruses and are not related. Humans do not get the animal disease and animals do not get the human disease.