BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO) — Hand, foot, and mouth disease is spreading around Rockford, leaving daycares particularly vulnerable.

“We have seen a lot of cases with the hand, foot, and mouth disease,” said pediatrician Dr. Mary Augustian of Mercy Health Cherry Valley.

The virus begins with a fever and leads to painful blisters in the mouth, hands, and feet. The disease typically impacts young children, leaving daycares one of the most vulnerable places.

“We had one room, I think almost every child possibly had it. Maybe one or two didn’t, and that’s not normal,” shared program administrator of First Step Day Care Center Viktoria Martinez.

In July, Martinez said eight to 10 children in one classroom were exposed to the disease.

“We had to tell the parent, ‘I’m sorry, you can’t drop off tod

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