Bulawayo warns of suspected hand, foot & mouth disease outbreak

The City of Bulawayo has issued a public health alert following reports of suspected Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), urging residents to practice heightened hygiene and seek medical attention if symptoms appear.

In a notice released by the Town Clerk's office on Thursday, authorities described HFMD as a contagious viral infection that primarily affects children under five, although adults can also contract it through close contact with infected individuals.

Health officials said the virus spreads through saliva, mucus, and fluid from blisters, with symptoms including painful mouth sores, rashes or blisters on the hands and feet, fever, sore throat, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Symptoms typically manifest within three to six days of exposure.

Residents have been advised to wash hands frequently, disinfect commonly touched surfaces, and avoid close physical contact, including hugging or sharing utensils, with infected individuals. Anyone showing symptoms is encouraged to isolate until fever subsides and blisters have healed.

"The City of Bulawayo urges residents to report any suspected cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease to the nearest healthcare facility to prevent further spread," Town Clerk Christopher Dube said.

While authorities did not disclose the exact number of suspected cases, they confirmed that monitoring and response measures are underway. HFMD outbreaks have been reported in parts of Zimbabwe before, particularly among nursery and primary school children due to the virus's rapid transmission in group settings.