Rockford pediatrician warns of hand, foot, and mouth disease spread

BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO) — Hand, foot, and mouth disease is spreading around Rockford, leaving daycares particularly vulnerable.

“We have seen a lot of cases with the hand, foot, and mouth disease,” said pediatrician Dr. Mary Augustian of Mercy Health Cherry Valley. 

The virus begins with a fever and leads to painful blisters in the mouth, hands, and feet. The disease typically impacts young children, leaving daycares one of the most vulnerable places.

“We had one room, I think almost every child possibly had it. Maybe one or two didn’t, and that’s not normal,” shared program administrator of First Step Day Care Center Viktoria Martinez.

In July, Martinez said eight to 10 children in one classroom were exposed to the disease.

“We had to tell the parent, ‘I’m sorry, you can’t drop off today.’ So, we had parents that were missing work, which nowadays you have to work in order to survive. There is no, I can take a day off and be able to still afford life. So, it was really bad that they had to keep taking time off,” explained Martinez.

Martinez said there hasn’t been a reported case since. Part of that is thanks to a sanitation machine called ZoNo.

“Pull out the cart, and the teachers can wheel it into their classroom. They load it up to the top with toys, and then they put it back in and turn it on,” said Martinez.

Augustian said it’s all about cleanliness.

“Clean and disinfect furniture’s, doorknobs, try to avoid children not sharing their pacifiers, cups,” shared Augustian.

Experts said if your child is experiencing symptoms or has the virus, keep them at home and call your pediatrician.