Hand-foot-mouth disease is on the rise in Central Missouri.
While the virus is cyclical, it seems to be at its peak early this year than most, said Jennifer Hulett, family nurse practitioner with Capital Region's Health Branch West.
Hand-foot-mouth disease is spread through contact of oral secretions to another person's mouth or from fecal secretion to a person's mouth.
"It sounds very gross, but essentially it can be spread from one child not washing their hands well after going to the bathroom, and then touching something, and another child coming and touching the same item and then putting their hands in their mouth," Hulett said.