ILOILO — Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in Iloilo Province surged by 19 percent in the first seven weeks of 2026, with infections spreading to 35 of 43 municipalities and one component city, prompting health officials to intensify hygiene reminders to parents and schools.
Data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) showed 226 HFMD cases recorded from January to February 21 this year, higher than the 190 cases logged during the same period in 2025.
HFMD is characterized by painful sores in the mouth and rashes on the hands and feet. It is commonly caused by the coxsackievirus and is a contagious infection that primarily affects children.
Areas with the highest number of cases are:
* Passi City – 35
* Barotac Nuevo – 27
* Mina – 20
* Barotac Viejo – 18
* Dumangas – 16
* Banate – 11
* New Lucena – 9
* Bingawan – 7
* Carles – 7
* Batad – 5
Of the province’s 42 municipalities and one component city, only eight have not recorded any HFMD cases as of February 21: Ajuy, Dingle, Leganes, Leon, Pavia, San Dionisio, Santa Barbara, and Tubungan.
The remaining municipalities reported the following cases: Concepcion (5), Dueñas (5), Guimbal (5), Oton (5), Tigbauan (5), Anilao (4), Balasan (4), Pototan (4), San Miguel (4), Badiangan (3), Cabatuan (3), Janiuay (3), San Enrique (3), Igbaras (2), Lemery (2), Miag-ao (2), San Joaquin (2), San Rafael (2), Sara (2), Alimodian (1), Calinog (1), Estancia (1), Lambunao (1), Maasin (1), and Zarraga (1).
Health advisory
With cases rising, IPHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon urged parents and guardians to strictly observe proper hygiene practices, particularly frequent handwashing.
She noted that patients consulting at Rural Health Units commonly present with rashes on the hands, feet, and other parts of the body.
“Kon ang aton kabataan may mga lesions or rash sa kamot kag tii kag sa baba, indi na pagpalagawon para indi ta makalaton sa iban,” said Quiñon.
DOH: Most infectious in first week
According to the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6, HFMD is particularly infectious during the first week of infection and spreads through contact with nasal discharge, saliva, feces, or objects touched by an infected person.
Symptoms include fever, sore throat, malaise, painful red blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks, as well as rashes — often with blisters — on the palms and soles, and occasionally the buttocks. Infants and toddlers may also become irritable and lose appetite.
While there is no specific treatment for HFMD, DOH-6 said symptoms may be managed by:
* Drinking plenty of fluids
* Eating soft food and consuming cold drinks to ease oral discomfort
* Taking over-the-counter medications for pain and fever, with a doctor’s consultation advised
Parents are urged to seek immediate medical attention if a child experiences difficulty swallowing or breathing, if symptoms worsen, or if there is no improvement after 10 days./PN