Sick children stay home; surge in Flu & HFM makes TCI schools high-risk

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, November 21, 2022 – Parents are expected to support a plea by the ministries of Health and Education to keep their un-well children at home, proving that Turks and Caicos is not immune to the trend of spiking cases of influenza within schools which is causing increased levels of sickness generally among children and adults; it is leading to problematic staff shortages.

A virtual countrywide Parent Teachers Association (PTA) meeting was held by the TCI government on November 15th after what it described as an “alarming rise in communicable diseases in schools throughout the TCI.’

The meeting was called a week after reports emerged of almost two dozen suspected cases of Hand Foot and Mouth disease across eight schools.

The PTA invite indicated that more than one illness may have been in circulation.

Hand Foot and Mouth disease is usually mild and children will recover on-their-own, but symptoms can be painful for them according to the World Health Organization. Parents should look out for fever, eating or drinking less, a sore throat and general complaints of un-well feeling in their children. These will be followed by painful sores in the mouth, and a rash with blisters on hands, feet and buttocks.

Parents are reminded that HFM disease can still be spread even after initial symptoms have cleared up and to keep children at home for the entirety of the time recommended by medical professionals.

When it comes to Influenza, commonly known as the flu, Hopkins says this about the infection in children:  “It causes a high fever, body aches, a cough, and other symptoms. Most children are ill with the flu for less than a week. But some children have a more serious illness and may need to be treated in the hospital. The flu may also lead to lung infection (pneumonia) or death.”

Covid-19 is also high amongst school aged children in nearby nations.  The virus is also still being detected in the Turks and Caicos.

Aldora Robinson, Director of the Health Promotions and Advocacy Unit said the Ministry of Health and Human Services has been carrying out educational visits.

“We have been sending out messages and also going into the schools and doing sessions on handwashing.”