Illness under control at Georgiana School

Published 3:52 pm Friday, September 26, 2014

Butler County Schools Superintendent Amy Bryan said a bout with Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease at Georgiana School is under control.

According to Bryan, five students were diagnosed with the illness.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the disease is a common viral illness that usually affects infants and children up to 5-years-old. It can occur in adults, though rarely. Side effects include fever, mouth sores and a skin rash.

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“I talked with our lead nurse for the school system, and there were no cases reported at any of the other schools,” Bryan said. “I also talked with Greenville Pediatrics and they had not treated any cases in school-aged children.”

Bryan said the school’s custodial staff had thoroughly cleaned the school and provided teachers with disinfectants for their classrooms.

School administrators sent home information to parents that explains about the illness and how proper hand washing can help stop the spread of the illness.

There is no specific treatment for the illness. However, there are over-the-counter medications that can help relieve the symptoms.

The CDC recommends washing hands often, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and avoiding contact with those infected with the illness.