ILOILO – This province has 55 cases of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) as of February 3 this year. This is 96.8 percent lower compared to the same period in 2022, with 1,712 cases.
HFMD is a mild, contagious viral infection common in young children. Symptoms include sores in the mouth and rashes on the hands and feet.
Lambunao town had the most HFMD cases this year, with 15, followed by Banate (nine), Oton (eight), Barotac Viejo (seven), and Badiangan (two).
The remaining cases were recorded in the towns of Bingawan (two), Lemery (two), Sara (two), and Ajuy, Janiuay, Leon, Miag-ao, San Dionisio, Tigbauan, Tubungan, and Zarraga (one each).
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, head of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO), said transmission has been fast, particularly from January 27 to February 3 alone, where 12 new cases of HFMD were logged.
“Ang HFMD madasig sia maglapta kapin pa sa mga kabataan kapin pa ara naga-eskwela kay man ara nagapangkapot sila sa ila anything or any surfaces nga puede makaptan naman sang bata nga non-infected so amo na nagakalatnanay,” said Quiñon.
Since children are mostly infected, Quiñon advises parents that if they see early HFMD symptoms, ask permission from the teachers to excuse the child from classes for seven or 10 days so as not to infect others.
“Mintras may ara blisters, indi pagpa-eskwelahon kag indi pagpakadtoan sa playground nga may other children nga nagahampang kay madasig nga nagalatnanay,” Quiñon added.
Teachers in Day Care Centers are also reminded to practice frequent sanitation and disinfect commonly touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, tables, and chairs, among others.
HFMD may cause all or some of the following signs and symptoms:
* 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./PN
