- GILBERT BAYORAN
Describing the 6,300 percent increase of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases in Negros Occidental as “alarming”, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he will most likely support the recommendation of the Provincial Health Office to declare a HFMD outbreak in some local government units of the province that have reached the epidemic threshold.
Since the PHO is in a better position to advise the declaration of an outbreak, Lacson said he will have to follow their judgment.
As to when the outbreak will be declared, Lacson said he will consult first with the PHO since he has yet to officially receive a letter request from the office.
PHO recorded 320 HFMD cases from January to Feb. 4 this year, compared to five in the same period last year, registering an increase of 6,300 percent.
PHO head, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, said the increase in cases indicates that HFMD could be easily transmitted now that there is face-to-face interaction, especially among children in school.
HFMD is common among children under five years old, although anyone can also get infected. While HFMD is very contagious, the illness is not serious.
Lacson said the declaration of an HFMD outbreak “is just really more of urging city and municipal health offices to exert more effort to inform their respective constituents about the disease, which is contagious”.
He also stressed the need to alert the Department of Education in Negros Occidental since the disease mostly affects young children.
HFMD symptoms include fever, painful sores in the mouth, and a rash with blisters on hands, feet, and buttocks, the PHO said.
Negros Occidental logged 85 new cases in the 5th morbidity week this year.
The PHO report also indicated that Kabankalan City has the highest number of HFMD cases with 73, from a zero case last year./GB
