KALIBO, Aklan – The province of Aklan logged 348 cases of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) this year, according to the surveillance monitoring of the Aklan Provincial Health Office.
Disease Surveillance Officer Gerald Flaviano noted cases detected for the past three weeks, but there was no clustering of HFMD in Aklan.
Flaviano said the disease was self-limiting and mild or could be cured within seven to 10 days.
Majority of the cases in Aklan were also outpatients and no deaths were recorded from the disease. These cases were detected in the months of January and February, data from PHO-Aklan showed.
HFMD is a highly contagious disease common to children with symptoms including painful sores in the mouth, rash and blisters on feet, hands and buttocks and fever.
It is spread from an infected person to others through close personal contact, and through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
No specific treatment is available, however, treatment can be given to relieve the symptoms of HFMD.
Parents are encouraged to take precautionary measures to reduce the risk of contracting the disease.
Flaviano also urged parents to advise young children in schools or child’s care centers to maintain personal hygiene to minimise the transmission of HFMD.
Toys or appliances that are contaminated with nasal or oral secretions are cleaned and disinfected before they are used again.
Parents should also ensure their children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water and cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing./PN
