Health authorities urged the public to strictly adhere to the implementation of basic protocols following the surge in hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in the region for the first five weeks of the year.
“Pag may nararamdaman kayo, always wear your mask, use alcohol, wash your hands. Yun po ang lagi naming nirereiterate,” (We have always been reiterating to always wear your mask, use alcohol, and wash your hands if you are ill,) Victoria Malicdan, Nurse V of the health department’s regional epidemiology and surveillance unit, said.
HMFD is a viral disease that mostly affects the children with common symptoms such as fever, swelling in the mouth, and rashes on hands, feet, and buttocks.
Malicdan also shared that a person could be infected through physical contact with someone who has the disease.
“Kasi ito’y isang viral na disease ano hand, foot, and mouth disease, pwede kasi na nakukuha din natin ito through droplets yung mga through sneezing, yung mga baby na kini-kiss natin,” she enthused. (Since this is a viral disease, it could be transferred from one person to another through droplets from sneezing as well as kissing the babies.)
The disease surveillance updates on the laboratory result of HFMD revealed that 12 cases were confirmed with only one recorded as negative, and 32 pending results.
The clustering of cases has been monitored in the community, particularly primary schools and daycare facility since the children are the ones mostly affected by the disease.
“Yung mga clustering of cases natin, usually sa mga community siya ano nangyayare, meron naman sa school like for the hand, foot, mouth and disease. Meron din tayong hand foot, and mouth disease sa school ng mga ito kasi nga mostly ng mga affected dito ay ‘yung mga bata,” Malicdan added. (The clustering of cases usually happens in the community which could also be assessed in schools because the disease commonly affects children.)
In order to prevent HFMD from spreading further, she advised the public to isolate yourself when unwell. By Lyka A. Capsula
