ILOILO – From January 1 to September 10 this year, Iloilo province recorded 459 cases of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD).
This is a sharp 7,550 percent rise from the six cases reported in the same period in 2021, data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) showed.
HFMD is a mild, contagious viral infection common in young children. Symptoms include sores in the mouth and rashes on the hands and feet.
The cases so far recorded this year are from 35 areas: San Dionisio (66), Cabatuan (34), Leon (26), San Rafael (23), Concepcion (21), Lemery (21), Pavia (21), Banate (19), New Lucena (19), San Joaquin (17), Badiangan (15), Mina (14), Miag-ao (13), Calinog (13), Dueñas (12), Igbaras (12), Zarraga (12), Bingawan (11), Barotac Viejo (11), Passi City (10), Ajuy (10), Pototan (10), Tigbauan (eight), Dingle (seven), Anilao (six), Lambunao (six), Tubungan (five), Janiuay (five), Sara (three), Santa Barbara (two), Barotac Nuevo (two), Guimbal (two), Maasin (one), Dumangas (one), and Oton (one).
Eight towns remain HFMD-free – Alimodian, Balasan, Batad, Carles, Estancia, Leganes, San Enrique, and San Miguel.
In 2021 from January 1 to September 10, the six HFMD cases recorded were in Passi City (two), and Calinog, Maasin, Pototan, and Ajuy (one each).
According to Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, IPHO head, a significant factor in the rise of HFMD cases is the help-seeking behavior of people.
“Once may makita sila nga symptoms, nagakadto na sila sa health facility,” she said.
This is a result of the active advocacy campaign of municipal health offices, stressed Quiñon.
She again reminded parents to make sure their children always wash their hands with soap and clean water, especially after playing, to avoid HFMD.
Proper hygiene is the simplest solution to HFMD infection, said Quiñon.
HFMD may cause all or some of the following signs and symptoms:
* fever
* sore throat
* feeling unwell
* painful, red, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks
* a red rash, without itching but sometimes with blistering, on the palms, soles and sometimes the buttocks
* irritability in infants and toddlers
* loss of appetite/PN
