All mayors and health officials in Negros Occidental have been advised to strengthen their preparedness and response against the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), with cases in the province having increased by 6,300 percent.
The province is on alert status versus HFMD cases, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, provincial health officer, said Thursday, February 9.
There were 320 HFMD cases reported from January 1 to February 4, or an increase by 6,300 percent compared to the five cases in the same period last year, he said.
Kabankalan City had the highest number of HFMD cases at 73.
HFMD is a highly contagious viral disease affecting various life stages but occurs most often in children, Tumimbang said.
Infection can be transmitted by person-to-person contact through nose and throat secretions, saliva nasal mucus, fluid from blisters, or the stool of infected persons, he added.
Common symptoms include fever, painful sores in the mouth, and a rash with blisters on hands, feet and buttocks, Tumimbang said.
However, severe symptoms may occur such as meningitis, encephalitis and polio- like paralysis, he said.
A person is most contagious during the first week of illness, he added.
It has become an important public health disease due to its tendency to cause large outbreaks and deaths among children and infants, Tumimbang said. IN BACOLOD
In Bacolod City 28 HFMD cases have been reported
as of February 4, the City Health Office reported.
The reported cases were in Banago and Estefania- 4 each, Handumanan, Taculing and Villamonte – 3 each, Mandalagan, Mansilingan and Singcang – 2 each, and Brgy 2, Brgy 13, Bata, Tangub, and Vista Alegre- 1 each.
Four public schools in Bacolod City have been disinfected against HFMD.
Prevention and control of potential outbreak includes hand washing especially after touching an infected person or body fluids, feces and before eating; keeping an infected child or person at home to avoid transmission; avoid sharing of items, and disinfection by wiping surfaces with bleach helps, the CHO added.
The CHO said those hit with HFMD should take paracetamol for fever and pain, soft but non spicy and hot foods, and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Meanwhile, five suspected cholera cases cholera have been reported in Bacolod City this year, the CHO reported.*
