There is now an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in the province of Iloilo, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) confirmed on Tuesday, Feb. 14.
PHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon said HFMD cases in the province exceeded the epidemic threshold.
From January 1 to Feb. 11 this year, a total of 1, 647 children were infected with the highly-contagious HFMD, data from Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit showed.
The figure was 2,395 percent higher compared to the number of cases registered in the same period a year ago.
Majority or 37 of the 42 towns and one component city of the province have been affected by the disease.
Santa Barbara logged the most number HFMD cases in the province with 236, followed by Alimodian, 109; Calinog, 95; Barotac Viejo, 94; Badiangan, 93; Mina, 76; Bingawan, 74; Sara, 74; Passi City, 66; and Banate and Tigbauan with 61 each.
Of those infected, 1,535 belonged to the 1-10 age group and 112 were below one year old.
HFMD is common among infants and children. It is transmitted through contact with nose and throat discharges and saliva of infected persons and contaminated objects.
Among its symptoms are fever, sore throat, malaise, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums, and the inside of the cheeks, irritability in infants and toddlers, and loss of appetite.IMT
