GUWAHATI, Oct 18 : A spurt in cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) – a childhood viral infection – has been reported in the state, triggering an alarm among parents.

The actual number of cases is yet to be ascertained due to lack of laboratory tests, but doctors, particularly in Guwahati, have confirmed a spike in HFMD cases following clinical diagnosis of affected children. Paediatricians in Dibrugarh have also reported multiple cases of late.

Dr Yasin Ali of Health City Hospital in Guwahati said he has been getting cases for more than a month now.

“This week, there is a slight drop. HFMD, caused by Coxsackie virus, is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids like saliva, mucus, blister fluid, and stool, as well as airborne d

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