Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease cases confirmed at Dowagiac Middle School

DOWAGIAC, Mich. — Local health officials are warning parents after an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease was confirmed at a Michiana middle school.  

Dowagiac Union Schools Superintendent told ABC57 they’ve seen at least four confirmed cases of the highly contagious virus isolated at the middle school this week. The illness primarily affects young children, but can be caught by anyone, and causes fevers, sore throats, and rashes where the name suggests.  

“Yes, we tend to see it every year, and it can be quite concerning and very much a nuisance for a lot of people, a lot of daycares and schools,” said Dr. Larry Wile, Medical Director of the Van Buren Cass District Health Department.  

Parents in Dowagiac received a letter from the district warning of the confirmed cases and encouraging families to keep children home if they’re feeling ill or have a rash. The health department says similar reports have come in from other schools and daycares across southwest Michigan. 

“As a parent, you don’t like your kid being sick. The good news is this is usually self-limited and not a harmful disease. The rashes that you get, the blisters don’t scar. You tend to get over this, but it can be scary and something that’s hard to get out of a daycare because of the incubation period of 3 to 5 days for most snotty noses and saliva and such,” Wile said. 

There is no vaccine or specific treatment for the illness, but doctors recommend symptomatic care.  

“Lots of fluids, people get dehydrated because of the painful lesions, they might not eat or drink as much, so make sure you stay hydrated. Popsicles work great for that,” Wile added. 

Doctors also encourage parents to talk to their children about simple ways to slow the spread. 

“Encourage them, if they’re sick, to stay away from their other siblings. But lots of hand washing at school, wash their hands frequently, keep their hands off their face, so if they do touch a surface…” Wile said. 

Other health departments, including Berrien County and St. Joseph County have also received reports of hand, foot, and mouth disease cases within schools and daycares.