The Clinton County Health Department is alerting residents to an increase in cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) circulating in the county.
HFMD is a contagious viral illness that typically affects children but can also spread to adults. Health officials say it spreads through direct contact with nasal or throat discharges and through the fecal-oral route.
Residents are urged to practice good hygiene, including frequent handwashing and sanitizing commonly touched surfaces, to slow the spread of the illness.
The Health Department encourages parents, caregivers, and schools to be vigilant for symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and the characteristic rash or blisters on the hands, feet, and mouth.