Sri Lanka has seen a significant rise in cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in recent days, particularly among schoolchildren.
Dr. Deepal Perera, a consultant pediatrician at Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH), explained in an interview with the Daily Mirror that HFMD tends to spread more during the colder season, especially between November and December, due to the nature of viral infections.
Dr. Perera advised parents to keep children displaying symptoms—such as red or white blisters on the hands, feet, or in the mouth, a red rash with brown scales, or a rash on the outer arms—at home for 3-4 days to prevent further transmission.
Health authorities have also noted that in some cases, tests for influenza and dengue may return negative results. While these are viral infections, their potential link to HFMD remains unclear, and COVID-19 should also be considered in the diagnosis.
Additionally, there has been an increase in cases of dengue and illnesses associated with the influenza B virus.
