BACOLOD CITY – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) here has recommended to declare outbreaks in several local government units of Negros Occidental that have reached the criteria for epidemics in hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).
Data on Friday showed that HFMD cases in the province have increased by 6,300 percent in the first five weeks this year compared to the number reported during the same period in 2022.
From only five last year, cases have already reached 320 from Jan. 1 to Feb. 4, 2023.
“Cases increase when there is unabated transmission. This means proper isolation is not being practiced as everyone thinks it is just a simple itch on the hand and the foot,” Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, provincial health officer, told reporters.
He noted it could be easily transmitted now that there is face-to-face interaction, especially among children in school.
In the fifth morbidity week this year alone, Negros Occidental logged 85 new cases.
Alert threshold is at three cases while the epidemic threshold is at five cases, according to the PHO.
The PHO surveillance report showed that Kabankalan City has recorded the highest number of cases with 73, from zero cases last year.
Other cities are Cadiz with 36 cases; Bago, 26; Silay, 16; Sipalay, 15; Talisay, 14; Himamaylan, 4; and Victorias and La Carlota with three each.
Cauayan has the most cases among the municipalities with 41; Manapla, 24; Valladolid, 18; Binalbagan, 15; Hinoba-an, 11; Don Salvador Benedicto, 7; Hinigaran, 6; and Pulupandan, 4.
Most of the cases are children below 10 years old, considering that HFMD is a common infectious illness among young children, but it can also affect adults.
Signs and symptoms include sore throat, fever, painful ulcers or blisters in the hands and feet, and sometimes the thighs and buttocks. (PNA)
