ILOILO – This year from Jan. 1 to Aug. 6, this province recorded 431 cases of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD).
According to the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO), the cases are 7,083 percent higher than the six cases recorded in the same period last year.
HFMD is characterized by sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet. It is a common infection mostly in children, contagious and can be painful.
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, provincial health officer, stressed the importance of good hygiene to stop the spread of HFMD such as keeping the hands clean by washing with soap and water.
The IPHO listed 10 towns with the most number of HFMD cases: San Dionisio (66), Leon (26), San Rafael (23), Concepcion (21), Lemery (21), Pavia (21), Banate (19), New Lucena (19), San Joaquin (17), and Cabatuan (14).
Quiñon atttributed the surge in cases to to the change in the “health-seeking behavior” of people; now they do not hesitate seeking help in rural health centers when they exhibit symptons.
“Also, ang aton reporting sang cases naga-improve, that’s why mataas ang kaso naton,” added Quiñon.
Nine towns, however, remain HFMD-free – Alimodian, Balasan, Batad, Carles, Estancia, Leganes, Oton, San Enrique, and San Miguel.
What are the HFMD dymptoms?
* 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 appetit./PN