19 Mar 2025

Ministry of Health’s Public Health Physician for Greater Gaborone says there is no reason to panic as more cases of suspected Hand, Foot and Mouth Diseases (HFMD) are being reported in different parts of the country.

Dr Goodwill Gulubane said in an interview today, that HFMD was a contagious viral disease, which affected children under the age of five.

“This is not a pandemic. Parents just need to follow precautions,” he said.

He encouraged schools and parents to take precautionary measures and isolate affected children until symptoms resolve.

“Parents should ensure that children showing symptoms stay at home to prevent the spread of the disease,” he said.

Already, he said some schools in Gaborone had been sensitised about the disease and what precautions to follow to prevent further spread.

He further said the disease should not be confused with Foot and Mouth Disease, which affected livestock.

Meanwhile, according to a press release from Ministry of Health, about 50 cases of HFMD have been detected in Gaborone and Francistown so far.

The release states that common symptoms include, fever, sore throat, rash with blisters on the hands, feet and inside the mouth among others.

It says the disease spreads through direct contact with saliva, nasal secretions and fluid from blisters of faeces of an infected person.

It further states that the majority of children usually recover without long-term effects, as it is usually mild and self-limiting.

The Ministry of Health, through a press release, encourages frequent hand washing with soap and water, regular sanitisation of toys, surfaces and shared items as well as isolation of infected children until symptoms resolve. Ends