PARENTS in Liphook have been warned to look out for symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease in their children after it was announced that a junior school pupil had become infected with the virus.

In response to the situation headteacher Helen Paterson circulated a note to alert parents.

But some parents feel the note was inadequate and was hidden on the back page of Liphook Junior School's fortnightly newsletter.

One parent, who asked not to be named, told The Herald that the letter failed to explain the situation and did not include details of symptoms.

She said: "I think it's wrong that the notice was hidden on the back of the newsletter. Something as important as this should have been placed on the front page.

"Many people will just read the front and put it down and this is something that should have been brought to everyone's attention."

She added: "When you see the words 'foot-and-mouth disease' it makes you worry because of everything that has gone on with the animal form of foot-and-mouth.

"When I first saw this I didn't know anything about it and it is concerning. The note from the school should have explained what the disease is, it would have made people feel more comfortable.

"The letter also advises parents to contact their GP if their child develops any of the symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease. But the letter doesn't say what the symptoms are."

Headteacher Helen Paterson told The Herald that she acted correctly and used advice for the letter from the head's legal guide.

She said: "It would have been dangerous for me to give out what I think are the symptoms because I am not medically trained.

"What I did say in the letter is that any parents with any concerns whatsoever should contact their GP straight away."

Mrs Paterson said she did not want to play down the situation because a child has been taken sick, but stressed that hand, foot, and mouth is not a serious disease.

She said: "I wanted to let parents know out of courtesy. I would have done the same if it was German measles or chicken pox.

"I put the note on the back of the newsletter because it is just one part of life at the school. Its not a major scare, that's why I didn't put it on the front."

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention described hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) as a common illness of infants and children which is characterised by fever, sores in the mouth, and a rash with blisters.

The disease begins with a mild fever, poor appetite, feeling sick and frequently a sore throat. It has been described as a mild disease which nearly all patients recover from without medical treatment within seven to ten days.

HFMD is a different from foot-and-mouth disease of cattle, sheep, and swine. Although the names are similar, the two diseases are not related at all and are caused by different viruses.

For further information on hand, foot, and mouth disease, parents are advised to contact their local GP.