ILOILO – Twenty-eight towns here and the component city of Passi recorded cases of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD), a mild but contagious viral infection common in young children.
From Jan. 1 to April 23, 178 cases were reported – 4,350 percent higher than the four cases recorded in the same period last year.
According to Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, head of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO), the big jump in cases may be tribute to the easing of pandemic restrictions.
HFMD is characterized by fluid-filled blisters appearing on the hands, feet and mouth with or without fever.
The disease is transmitted through droplets or direct contact with nasal discharges, saliva, feces, and fluid from the rashes of an infected individual.
The 178 cases were recorded in the following:
* Concepcion (21)
* Banate (18)
* San Dionisio (14)
* Cabatuan (13)
* Pavia and Calinog (10 each)
** Ajuy and Igbaras (nine each)
* Igbaras (nine)
* Bingawan, New Lucena, Dueñas, Barotac Viejo, and Zarraga (seven each)
* Mina (six)
* Miag-ao and Passi City (four each)
* Leon, Sara, Anilao, Pototan, and San Joaquin (three each)
* Janiuay, Dingle and Santa Barbara (two cases each)
* Lemery, Barotac Nuevo, Guimbal, and Lambunao (one case each).
On the other hand, fifteen towns have no cases – Alimodian, Badiangan, Balasan, Batad, Carles, Dumangas, Estancia, Leganes, Maasin, Oton, San Enrique, San Miguel, San Rafael, Tubungan, and Tigbauan.
How can HFMD be avoided?
Maintaining personal hygiene is the key.
“Kinanglan we have to keep our hands clean always…before and after eating, after using the toilet…back to basics kita,” stressed Dr. Jocelyn Te, medical coordinator for heat and waterborne diseases of the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6.
As much as possible, avoid sharing personal things like towels, especially among kids.
The DOH regional office is also distributing education and information materials about HFMD and how to avoid it
Local government units, through their municipal health offices, are also urged to strengthen their surveillance, monitoring and awareness campaign on the disease./PN
