SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands — An outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease has been reported in the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Dr. Richard Brostrom of the Department of Public Health said Tuesday that 20 suspected cases of the disease were reported on Saipan by private clinics. He says the cases involved children ranging in age from 2 to 8.

Brostrom says all of their children are being treated by their own physicians.

The disease mainly affects young children.

It is characterized by fever, mouth sores and a rash with blisters. It is spread by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, saliva or fluid from blisters. It is not related to hoof-and-mouth disease, which infects cattle, sheep and pigs.