ILOILO City – At first, it may look like nothing more than a fever, a sore throat, or a few tiny blisters on a child’s hands and feet.
But health experts warn that what many parents may dismiss as a “simple viral infection” could be the beginning of a wider health scare in Western Visayas.
The Department of Health (DOH) has raised the alarm over the rising number of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases across the region.
The disease, most common among children under five years old, is now spreading fast enough for officials to issue an urgent advisory warning of a possible outbreak.
A Disease That Spreads Quietly
HFMD is caused by viruses that thrive on close human contact. A cough, a sneeze, a sip from a shared glass, or even a diaper change can be enough to pass it on.
The illness brings with it a host of symptoms: fever, painful mouth sores, rashes, blisters, and a general sense of fatigue that can leave both children and parents restless.
While most young patients recover within a week or so, HFMD is not always as harmless as it sounds. Complications such as severe dehydration — or in rare cases, viral meningitis — can push families into hospital emergency rooms, fighting against outcomes no parent wants to face.
The Urgency of Prevention
In a press statement, DOH Region 6 outlined simple but critical defenses: frequent handwashing, disinfecting toys and surfaces, avoiding close contact with anyone showing signs of illness, and keeping infected children at home until they recover.
Regional director Dr. Annabelle Yumang emphasized vigilance.
“It’s our collective responsibility to protect our children and our community. Parents and caregivers must act swiftly if symptoms appear to prevent the further spread of this illness,” she stressed.
Shared Responsibility
The call to action is not for parents alone. Schools, daycare centers, and entire communities are being urged to watch closely and respond quickly.
Teachers who notice rashes or fevers, caregivers who hear persistent coughs, or neighbors who see a child struggling should not take chances.
HFMD, after all, is not confined to infants. Older children — and even adults — can also catch and spread the virus. And with communities interconnected in Western Visayas, the risk of rapid transmission grows each day.
A Reminder for the Region
For families across Iloilo and the neighboring provinces, the DOH advisory serves as a reminder: public health is a shared duty. A single overlooked case can ripple outward, threatening entire classrooms and neighborhoods.
Parents are encouraged to seek medical attention immediately if children show signs of persistent fever, worsening symptoms, or signs of dehydration. DOH officials believe that with collective effort, this looming outbreak can be contained before it becomes a bigger crisis.
Sometimes, protecting a community starts with something as small—and as powerful—as washing one’s hands./PN
