BACOLOD City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) here is urging child development centers and primary schools to implement precautionary measures to prevent the spread of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) amid rising cases in the city.
This follows the approval of a resolution authored by Councilor Em Ang, chairperson of the SP committee on health, during their regular session on July 16.
HFMD is a common viral illness that primarily affects infants and children under five years old. It spreads easily in school and childcare settings due to close contact among children, Ang noted.
According to the City Health Office (CHO), Bacolod recorded a total of 61 confirmed HFMD cases as of July 5, corresponding to Morbidity Week 27, with numbers showing an upward trend.
Ang emphasized that preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of outbreaks and help protect students, staff, and faculty. She urged all childcare and primary school facilities to take the following steps:
* Promote hand hygiene by encouraging frequent handwashing with soap and water, especially before eating, after using the restroom, and after contact with bodily fluids.
* Practice respiratory etiquette by teaching children to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing.
* Disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as toys, learning materials, and classroom equipment.
* Monitor for symptoms like fever, mouth sores, and rashes on hands and feet.
* Isolate symptomatic students until they are no longer contagious (typically after the fever subsides and lesions have dried or crusted).
* Educate students and parents on HFMD prevention and signs to watch for.
* Develop a response plan for potential outbreaks, including communication with parents, barangay health centers, and the CHO.
Based on CHO data, the age group most affected by HFMD is children aged 1 to 10, accounting for 48 out of the 61 cases.
The barangays with the highest number of reported cases are Villamonte (10), Estefania (8), Mansilingan (6), Singcang-Airport and Tangub (5 each), Granada (4), Alijis and Vista Alegre (3 each), and Banago, Cabug, Mandalagan, and Bata (two each).
The city government continues to monitor the situation closely, with calls for community cooperation in implementing preventive health protocols./PN
