Panther Valley parents have been warned that their children may have been exposed to hand, foot and mouth disease.

Cases of the illness have been reported at schools in central Pennsylvania and New Jersey already this fall, and now in Carbon County.Parents at Panther Valley High School and Elementary School received letters informing them that their children may have been exposed to the illness.Panther Valley officials assured parents that they are providing appropriate maintenance services to provide a clean, healthy environment at the district's school buildings and athletic facilities.Superintendent Dennis Kergick said that there are 13 suspected cases across the district's three schools, five of which have been confirmed.According to the letter, hand foot and mouth disease is common in infants and children.The illness is characterized by fever, sores in the mouth, and a rash with blisters. A viral illness, it can be spread through coughing sneezing, contact with fluid from blisters and through contact with the infected person's stool.There is no vaccine available for the illness. Treatment is aimed at relieving the symptoms.If a child develops symptoms of the illness, you should contact your child's health care provider for instructions and to determine when it is appropriate to return to school.