BMC is unaware of hand, foot and mouth disease

Six-year-old Yash Garg has been suffering from a rash on his hands and feet for the past four days. And so is every kid that goes to his crèche in Bandra.

“When I called them up to inform them that Yash would not come for the next few days, imagine my surprise when they said that they had shut down the crèche for a while.

Apparently, several children have complained of the same infection,” said Avantika Garg, Yash’s mother and a corporate lawyer. Yash has a skin rash on his knees, palm and soles, and simply refuses to eat, she added.

According to paediatricians in several parts of the city, including Bandra, King’s Circle and Ghatkopar, symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), similar to those of a contagious viral disease affecting infants and children, have been seen in several of their young patients.

“HFMD is not harmful but is extremely inconvenient. I have seen several cases — at least 30 since September,” said Dr Shailesh Shah, Bandra-based paediatrician.

However, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is unaware of the outbreak, which has been present in the suburbs for over ten days now. “We have not received any information about HFMD so far,” said civic official from the ward. Civic executive health officer Dr Jayaraj Thanekar also admitted to not having received any report from any part of the city.