Fort Simpson (Sep 03/04) - Several cases of hand, foot and mouth disease have been diagnosed in Fort Simpson and a few outlying communities over the past month.

The virus, which comes in numerous forms and can therefore be contracted more than once, causes sore throats and rashes. Other symptoms may include fever, headache, loss of appetite and small, painful ulcers in the mouth.

Because the virus can be spread through the air or by touch, health officials are waiting to see if the start of school, where children are in close proximity, causes the number of cases to jump, according to Lizann Curtin, nurse-in-charge at the Fort Simpson Health Centre.

"If they touch each other and put their hands in their mouth, they're going to spread it," she advised.

However, unless a child is feeling sick, there's no need to keep him or her home from school, Curtin said.

"The children are not that ill with it. They do develop a rash and they do have some sores in their mouths, but they're generally not that ill," she added of the diagnosed cases.

Terry Jaffray, principal at Bompas elementary school, said she had not heard of any concerns relating to the ailment as of Tuesday afternoon.

For those who are infected, thorough hand washing after nose blowing or using the washroom is highly recommended.

The virus can manifest itself 10-14 days after exposure and can live in feces up to six weeks after infection.

So cleanliness and common sense are essential to combat the problem, Curtin noted. Those who are infected are also urged to drink lots of fluids. Because hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by a virus rather than bacteria, antibiotics will not cure it.