GRANGEVILLE, ID – Mountain View School District 244 is reporting an increase in cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease among students and is asking parents and guardians to help limit the spread by keeping sick children home.

In a notice sent to families, the district said Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease typically presents with open sores or blisters on the hands, feet, face and inside the mouth, and may also appear on other parts of the body. Fever is also a common symptom. While the illness is not generally serious, district officials said it is highly contagious.

The district said it is following guidance from local medical professionals and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to manage the situation in schools.

According to the district, children should remain home if they have open sores on their hands or face, a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, or difficulty eating or drinking due to sores inside the mouth, including excessive drooling.

Students may return to school once they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours, sores on the hands or face have disappeared or crusted over, and they are able to eat, drink and concentrate without drooling.

Parents with questions about whether their child should attend school are encouraged to contact school nurse Erin Blinn, RN, at blinne@sd244.org or 208-983-0400, extension 3329.

Mountain View School District serves approximately 1,287 students across five schools located in Elk City, Grangeville and Kooskia.