The last three days have been excruciating for two-and a half-year-old Sneha (name changed), who developed itchy rashes on her hands and legs. While the lesions and symptoms were identical to that of chicken pox, doctors conducted further tests and later diagnosed her with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).

It is a contagious viral illness that commonly affects infants and young children below the age of five. City paediatricians say that this case is not an isolated one, as, this year, there has been an increase in the number of HFMD cases within the last two weeks itself.