Rotorua preschoolers aren't escaping an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease - but so far no children have been hospitalised with complications from the common childhood illness.
There has been an increase in cases throughout the country and Toi Te Ora Public Health Service medical officer of health DrNeil de Wet said Rotorua hasn't escaped. While the disease isn't notifiable - which means cases don't have to be reported to public health - Dr de Wet said anecdotal evidence from doctors and child care centres was that Rotorua was seeing an increase in cases.
He said the strain of the illness going around seemed to be causing a more widespread rash in children.
Dr de Wet said outbreaks were quite common, especially in autumn, and pre-school aged children were most likely to be affected.
Symptoms included feeling unwell starting with a fever and then sometimes getting blisters on the throat as well as spots on their hands and feet.
Mr de Wet said most adults had already been exposed to the illness and had built up an immunity.
While most children recovered completely without having to see a GP, Dr de Wet said if parents had concerns they should consult with a doctor.
The biggest concern was dehydration and while children might be reluctant to drink because they had a sore throat it was important they had enough fluids, he said.
Dehydration was the most common reason children were hospitalised because of hand, foot and mouth. There were six cases of children hospitalised with the illness last year but there have been none so far this year.
