ILOILO – The province listed the fewest cases of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) since the third week of January 2023.
During the 10th morbidity week (March 4 to 11), the province logged 188 cases, data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) showed.
On Jan. 1 to Jan. 7 (first morbidity week), the province listed 130 cases. An upward trend in cases was observed from the third morbidity week to ninth morbidity week:
* 1st morbidity week – 130 cases
* 2nd morbidity week – 179 cases
* 3rd morbidity week – 306 cases
* 4th morbidity week – 391 cases
* 5th morbidity week – 425 cases
* 6th morbidity week – 216 cases
* 7th morbidity week – 419 cases
* 8th morbidity week – 341 cases
* 9th morbidity week – 296 cases
* 10th morbidity week – 118 cases
“Cases of hand-foot-and-mouth disease continue to decrease. Although our cases reached 2,821 from Jan. 1 to March 11, 2023, what is important is that transmission has slowly declined,” said Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, IPHO head.
Here is the breakdown of the 188 additional cases per town: Janiuay (18); Lambunao (12); Barotac Viejo (11); San Rafael (10); Badiangan, Calinog and Mina (nine each); Santa Barbara (eight); Maasin (six); Alimodian (four); Barotac Nuevo, Leon and Zarraga (three each); Concepcion, Pavia and Sara (two each); and Anilao, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Dumangas, Oton, and Tigbauan (one each).
Only two towns in the province have no HFMD cases – Dingle and Carles.
This year’s 2,821 cases from Jan. 1 to March 11 are 1,674 percent higher than the 159 cases recorded in the same period last year.
Colmenares-Quiñon said most of the previous cases recovered while the 188 additional cases are on the road to recovery.
“Thank you for the cooperation, everyone. Please continue to observe proper hygiene such as hand washing and wearing a mask, and if sick, do not go to school or daycare centers,” said Colmenares-Quiñon.
HFMD is characterized by painful sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet.
Commonly caused by the coxsackievirus, this contagious infection occurs mostly in children./PN
