Contagious infection strikes Pottstown children

POTTSTOWN The Montgomery County Health Department is investigating eight cases of Pottstown children between the ages of 2 months and 12 years who are suffering from hand-foot-and-mouth disease, said Frank Custer, the county's communications director.

The Health Department learned about the cases Monday and Tuesday.

The Mayo Clinic's website describes hand-foot-and-mouth as "a mild, contagious viral infection common in young children . . . characterized by sores in the mouth, and a rash on the hands and feet."

Custer said Tuesday that "we have not isolated the source, if there is a single source."

But, he said, interviews with parents and some of the children found a common activity. The youngsters had visited the Fountain of Youth Spray Park on Manatawny Street in Pottstown over the last week to 10 days.

The children went to medical providers, Custer said. According to the Mayo Clinic, the illness usually clears up in seven to 10 days.

The "splash pad" at the public park that is a possible source of the virus was closed Monday, Custer said.

Pottstown officials could not be reached for comment. - Carolyn Davis