Student Services

111 Charter Oak Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106 860-509-3633 860-305-8903 www.crec.org

October 9, 2014

Dear Parent or Guardian,

This letter is to inform you that there have been several cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease
in CRECs schools.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common, mild childhood illness that typically affects
children under the age of 10. However, it can also affect adults.

The illness is caused by a moderately contagious virus, and initial symptoms include fever, poor
appetite, general discomfort, and a sore throat. About two days after the onset of any initial
symptoms, painful sores develop in the mouth. They begin as small, red spots and often become
ulcers.

Also, one to two days after any initial symptoms, a non-itchy rash with flat or raised red spots
with a blister-like appearance develops. The rash typically appears on the hands and feet.

Most people recover from hand, foot, and mouth disease without complications within seven to
10 days. If your child has the disease, please keep them at home until the mouth sores begin
to heal and until their fever is gone. It is important that all families follow these guidelines
in order to reduce the spread of the disease.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is moderately contagious and is spread from person-to-person
by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, saliva, fluid from blisters, or stool of the
infected person. Surfaces contaminated with these substances may also become a source of
infection.

Proper hand washing, especially after diaper changes and toileting, and the thorough cleaning
of surfaces can help to reduce the spread of the disease. CRECs facilities teams are making sure
that all surfaces are disinfected thoroughly, and they are using cleaning agents that are both
approved and recommended by the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

If you have any questions about hand, foot, and mouth disease, contact your health care
provider, school nurse, or The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Sincerely,

David Cusick, RN, EMT-P, BS
Assistant Director of Health Services, CREC
dcusick@crec.org