HFM Disease hits another local school

Another local valley school is dealing with a small outbreak of Hand Foot and Mouth disease, according to Barbara Cole, with the Riverside County Health Dept.

According to Cole, at least ten students at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School in La Quinta have come down with the disease.

The Health Department is monitoring the school’s efforts to make sure that proper steps are being taken to protect other students.

The school is currently monitoring students for symptoms which can include fever and blisters, the school is also doing environmental cleaning for all classrooms.

This is the second case this month we have learned about, a similar outbreak was reported at Julius Corsini Elementary in Desert Hot Springs.

The Health Department says if you believe your kids are showing symptoms to call your doctor. If they are showing signs of fever and blisters, some in the mouth, they are urging parents to keep their kids home.

The disease is a virus and no antibiotics work fighting the disease, so parents just have to let the disease run its course, said Cole. She is urging everyone to to wash their hands constantly.

Hand Foot and Mouth disease is a common virus but can be painful for children.