The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has issued a health alert warning of the spread of hand, foot and mouth disease across the Maldives.

The HPA said reported cases mostly involved children between the ages of one and four.

The disease is passed through a patient’s pus, saliva, discharge, snot and vomit. Common symptoms include fever, change in appetite, tiredness, throat infections and body aches.

The agency advised parents against sending infected children to school and to take precautionary cleanliness measures to contain the infection.