ILOILO – Cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Iloilo Province have declined by 40 percent during the first half of 2026, but provincial health authorities continue to urge parents to remain vigilant and strictly observe proper hygiene practices to prevent further transmission, especially among children.
Data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) showed that only 500 HFMD cases were recorded from Jan. 4 to June 27 this year, significantly lower than the 838 cases logged during the same period in 2025.
HFMD is a contagious viral disease commonly caused by the coxsackievirus. It primarily affects young children and is characterized by painful sores in the mouth and rashes on the hands and feet.
According to IPHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, for the province’s 25th morbidity week, covering June 20 to June 27, only 10 new HFMD cases were recorded. Dumangas posted the highest number of new infections, while New Lucena, Cabatuan, Oton, and Guimbal recorded one case each.
Despite the overall decline, Dumangas remained the municipality with the highest cumulative number of HFMD cases this year with 48, followed by Passi City (44), Mina (42), Barotac Nuevo (40), Janiuay (17), San Rafael (16), New Lucena (15), Banate (14), and Santa Barbara (14).
The IPHO reported that 42 of Iloilo Province’s 43 municipalities, including Passi City, have recorded HFMD cases this year. Dingle is the lone municipality that has remained free of infections as of June 27 after recording two cases during the same period last year.
Quiñon emphasized that parents should not let their guard down despite the improving situation.
She urged families to continue practicing proper handwashing and hand sanitizing, particularly among children, to reduce the risk of infection.
The provincial health chief also reminded parents to immediately isolate children showing signs and symptoms of HFMD, avoid bringing them to public places such as malls and playgrounds, disinfect toys and frequently touched objects, and wash hands regularly to prevent the spread of the virus.
Symptoms of HFMD include fever, sore throat, general discomfort or malaise, painful blister-like sores in the mouth, rashes with blisters on the hands and feet, irritability among infants and toddlers, and loss of appetite.
To help children recover and reduce their susceptibility to infection, Quiñon advised parents to strengthen their children’s immune systems by ensuring adequate rest and sleep and providing appropriate medication, such as paracetamol for fever, along with nutritious food, vitamins, and fruits.
The 32 other municipalities that reported cases were: Cabatuan (13), Calinog (13), Leon (13), Oton (13), Tigbauan (11), Carles (10), Maasin (10), Miag-ao (10), San Miguel (10), Alimodian (nine), Guimbal (nine), Concepcion (eight), Estancia (eight), Badiangan (seven), Bingawan (seven), Dueñas (seven), Lambunao (seven), Pototan (seven), Anilao (six), Batad (six), Balasan (five), Lemery (five), San Enrique (four), San Joaquin (four), Igbaras (three), Pavia (three), Sara (three), Ajuy (two), Leganes (one), San Dionisio (one), Tubungan (one), and Zarraga (one)./PN
