2 more moms say their kids got illness from Briargate splash pads

Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation management started giving all of its splash pads a weekly spray-down with Professional Purell. The move comes after seeing KRDO’s story about a 2-year-old whose mother thought she got Hand Foot and Mouth Disease at the Water Hole at Venezia Park earlier this month. When we aired that follow-up, we got an email from another woman who said she thinks her child got Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) at the same place after the weekly sprays began.

We contacted the Parks and Rec department Thursday morning to see how they plan to react. They responded with a statement saying in part, “as always, we will closely evaluate conditions and apply additional treatment as necessary.”

We also spoke to several parents at the splash park today who seemed to show no worry. “They’re going to catch things. you can only take so many precautions,” said Margorie Deangelo. Kristie Carney agreed, saying, “anytime you take your kids to a park or a public place, you know there’s a potential that they could get sick.”

HFMD is a common viral illness that usually affects infants and children younger than 5 years old. Symptoms include fever, mouth sores, and a skin rash that normally subside in 7 to 10 days.

According to the CDC, the illness is highly contagious. It’s most contagious during the first week, but can stay contagious for weeks after the symptoms go away. It can be spread through spit, blister fluid, or feces – through direct contact or by touching a surface where the viruses are present.

There is no medical treatment for HFMD. Doctors advise people who contract the illness to take over-the-counter fever and pain relievers as needed and stay hydrated.