Paediatricians in the city are witnessing an increase in cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), a viral infection that causes rash/blisters on the hands and feet, sore throat among other symptoms that turn into painful ulcers. The disease has been infecting children and elderly immunocompromised people, for the last few weeks.

On average in the last few days, I have been examining three to four cases in paediatric age groups with Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and an equal number of concerned parents consult me by sending photographs of their children.  There is no treatment line for HFMD; the incubation period is around three to six days,” said Dr Fazal Nabi, director of paediatrics at Jaslok hospital.