• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Child development centers (CDCs) and elementary schools in Bacolod City have been urge by the Sangguniang Panlungsod to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD).
This as the City Health Office said July 20 that 78 cases of HFMD have been recorded since the start of this year until July 12, with 12 of cases logged in Barangay Villamonte alone. Nine cases were recorded in Brgy. Estefana, eight in Mansilingan, and six cases each in Singcang, Tangub, and Cabug.
Sixty-four of these cases affected the one to 10 years old age category, the CHO added.
HFMD is a common viral illness that primarily affects infants and children under the age of five. It can spread rapidly in schools and childcare settings due to close contact among children, hence the need for preventive measures to “significantly reduce the risk of outbreaks, and protect the health of students, staff, and faculty” the resolution, authored by Councilor Em Ang, stressed.
She added that there is need to promote hand hygiene, encouraging students, teachers, and school staff to wash hands, especially before eating, after using the restroom, and after coming into contact with bodily fluids.
Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces, toys, and equipment that children come into contact with; and encourage school staff to monitor students for symptoms of HFMD, such as fever, mouth sores, and rash on hands and feet, the SP urged CDCs and schools.
“Advise exclusion of students with symptoms of HFMD until they are no longer contagious (usually after fever subsides and lesions have crusted over), and educate students and parents about HFMD prevention and control measures,” it added.
Schools should also consider developing a response plan for potential outbreaks, including communication strategies with parents, barangay health centers, and the City Health Office, Ang said. | CGC
