• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental has logged 828 hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in almost six months this year, with majority of those infected aged one to 10 years old.
The number of HFMD cases increased by 246.44 percent from January 1 to June 28 compared to only 239 cases for the same period in 2024, records of the Provincial Health Office showed.
As this developed, Mayor Matthew Louis Malacon ordered the suspension of classes at the E.B. Magalona and Nanca Elementary Schools, and all child development centers on Thursday and Friday after the reported HFMD cases among schoolchildren.
This is to allow the conduct of necessary public health interventions, the mayor said through an executive order.
“During this period, classes will shift to the alternative delivery mode using the emergency learning kit,” he added.
Dr. Ma. Girlie Pinongan, provincial health officer, said E.B. Magalona, which recorded 16 HFMD cases, is not included in the top 10 local government units (LGUs), having the most number of HFMD cases.
However, health authorities noted clustering of HFMD cases in some schools and day care centers, which prompted them to conduct simultaneous clean-up drive to further prevent its spread.
HFMD is a common illness that usually causes fever, mouth sores, and skin rash. It can spread quickly at schools and day care centers. Most people get better on their own in seven to 10 days.
HFMD can spread through contact with droplets with virus particles made after person sneezes, coughs, or talks; objects and surfaces that have virus particles, fluid from blisters and feces.
Highly-urbanized Bacolod City recorded 56 HFMD cases from January to June 28, of which 44 are aged one to 10 years old.
In Negros Occidental, the top 10 LGUs with the most number of HFMD cases are Bago City – 241; Cadiz City – 105; Victorias City – 76; Manapla – 66; La Carlota City – 53; Talisay City – 42; Cauayan – 33; Pulupandan – 29; Kabankalan City – 24; and Don Salvador Benedicto – 22. | GB
