ILOILO – This year, the province has seen a 785 percent increase in hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) cases.
As of June 10, there were 3,347 cases – much higher than the 378 cases recorded in the same period last year, data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) showed.
Of the province’s 42 towns and the component city of Passi, only Carles in northern Iloilo has no recorded HFMD case.
Areas with the most number of cases were Santa Barbara (363), Lambunao (198), Alimodian (190), Calinog (172), Badiangan (161), Barotac Viejo (159), Mina (137), Leon (133), Janiuay (131), and Banate (113).
The other cases were in the following areas: Bingawan (101), New Lucena (100), Tubungan (100), Passi City (97), Dumangas (97), Igbaras (81), Maasin (81), Tigbauan (80), Sara (76), Pototan (75), San Rafael (75), Barotac Nuevo (70), Miag-ao (70), San Dionisio (68), Pavia (66), Zarraga (58), Lemery (56), Oton (41), Concepcion (36), Cabatuan (35), Ajuy (29), Anilao (23), San Miguel (20), San Joaquin (15), Batad (11), Dueñas (11), Balasan (nine), Guimbal (three), Leganes (two), Dingle (two), San Enrique (one), and Estancia (one).
HFMD is characterized by sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet. It is a common infection in children and can be painful.
It may cause all of the following signs and symptoms or just some of them:
* fever
* sore throat
* feeling unwell
* painful, red, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks
* a red rash, without itching but sometimes with blistering, on the palms, soles and sometimes the buttocks
* irritability in infants and toddlers
* loss of appetite
IPHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon reminded parents and guardians that proper hygiene, including frequent hand washing, is the primary protection for children against the disease.
Close contact with people who are infected is also discouraged.
If a child shows signs and symptoms of HFMD, Quiñon advises against having the child go to school to avoid close contact with their classmates.
Parents or guardians should also bring their child to the Rural Health Unit (RHU) to be given proper disease management.
The following are the preventive measures:
* Regular, proper hand washing using soap and water
* Practice good hygiene by regularly taking a bath
* When blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, cover your nose and mouth
* Avoid sharing food, utensils, and other objects with someone who has HFMD
* Regularly clean and disinfect objects and surfaces often touched, like doorknobs, tables, and doors
* Wear a facemask for protection not just against HFMD but also against COVID-19 and other diseases./PN
