Suchitra International School suspends classes after HFM outbreak

Hyderabad: Hyderabad's Suchitra International School was reportedly closed for two days after multiple children were affected with Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease (HFM).

Arati's (name changed) daughter Priya (name changed), a student of Jr KG C at Suchitra International School, began showing signs of rash and red spots on her skin on 4 November. Arati thought it was just a rash but it got worse. She assumed it was chicken pox.

On 6 November, when the rash got worse, she took Priya to their family paediatrician. "The doctor told me that she had Hand, Foot, Mouth disease. My child started getting bubbles on her feet which caused her pain when she walked. She also developed ulcers," Arati said.

Priya hasn't gone to school since 4 November. She started taking medication and is slowly recovering. However, several other children in her class also started developing similar symptoms. "Many parents noticed similar rashes and red spots," Arati said.

The parents informed the school authorities and classes for Jr KG C were temporarily suspended for two days from 10 to 11 November.

The following message was sent to the parents: "Jr. KG C remains closed tomorrow, 11th November, as few more children are affected with HFM. Please continue to inform us, if the child develops the symptoms. If your child has developed HFM, we request you to send them after it completely subsides, else we are compelled to send the child back immediately. Please understand a minute's contact is enough for this to spread and affect another child."

Arati later found out that classes for Jr KG B were also temporarily suspended on 8, and 9 November. "Some students in the other section, too, were reportedly suffering from HFM. However, the school did not bother to inform us about this. It was only on 10 November, after multiple children started showing signs of HFM, did they suspend the classes," she alleged.

Arati confessed that this was the first time she has heard of HFM. "Many other children's parents didn't know about it either. It is the school's responsibility to sensitise and create awareness regarding such issues," she said.

When NewsMeter reached out to Suchitra International School, they said all classrooms have been sanitised and all protocols have been followed. The school also stated that classes have resumed for all students.

What is HFM?

HFM is a common viral infection amongst children that causes blisters on the hands, mouth and feet area. Direct contact with saliva or mucus spreads the disease.

Fever, a sore throat, feeling under the weather, irritability, and loss of appetite are other symptoms.

Usually, the virus goes away on its own in 10 days.

Accusations of food poisoning

This isn't the first time that Priya has been hospitalised. On 26 August 2022, she was hospitalised due to food poisoning.

"Priya has breakfast, lunch, and snacks at school. The management insists that food be provided by them. They assure us that they will provide nutritious fresh food. However, when Priya brings back snacks, I notice that a few food items are spoiled," Arati said.

She added that Priya was vomiting non-stop after a food poisoning incident and had to be admitted to hospital for 2-3 days.

"I am very skeptical about the food provided by the school. I have requested them to allow home food but they have not agreed," Arati said.