Tobago is experiencing an increasing number of Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Impetigo cases.

As such, the THA’s Division of Health, Wellness And Social Protection is calling on parents and guardians to be on the alert for symptoms in their children.

It says while these diseases occur seasonally every year, statistics from the County Medical Officer of Health reveal that figures have doubled for Hand Foot and Mouth Disease over the period February 9th to 22nd, 2025.

There were 14 cases from February 9th to 15th, and 34 from February 16th to 22nd.

Cases of Impetigo also increased, while Chicken Pox numbers showed a slight decrease.

Impetigo is a common and highly contagious skin infection that mainly affects infants and young children.

Symptoms include reddish sores on the face, especially around the nose and mouth and on the hands and feet.

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a mild, contagious viral infection common in young children.

Early symptoms may include fever, sore throat, loss of appetite and feeling unwell/irritability.

These are then followed by painful, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks as well as flat red spots, often with blisters, on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and sometimes on the knees, elbows or buttocks.

The Division says the key to reducing the spread of these diseases is for anyone who is ill to stay apart from others until all symptoms disappear.