• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental has logged 828 Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases in the first six months of this year, with majority of those infected being one to 10 years old.
From January 1 to June 28 this year, the number of HFMD cases increased by 246.44 percent, compared to 239 cases in the same period of 2024, according to records of the Provincial Health Office.
Mayor Matthew Louis Malacon has ordered the suspension of classes at the E.B. Magalona and Nanca Elementary Schools, and all Child Development Centers, from July 10 until the 11th.
During that period, classes will shift to the Alternative Delivery Mode using the Emergency Learning Kit, Malacon said.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Girlie Pinongan said that E.B. Magalona, which recorded 16 HFMD cases, was not even included in the top 10 local government units with the most HFMD cases.
However, local health authorities noted the clustering of HFMD cases in some schools and day care centers, which prompted them to conduct simultaneous clean up drives to prevent further spread of infections.
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 7 to 10 days.
Symptoms include fever, sore throat, painful mouth sores that blister and a rash commonly found on the hands and feet, and complications from HFMD are rare, according to health authorities.
HFMD can spread through contact with droplets with virus particles generated when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or talks; objects and surfaces that have virus particles; fluid from blisters and feces.
HFMD is a viral disease, Pinongan said.
Highly urbanized Bacolod City also recorded 56 HFMD cases from January to June 28, with 44 of the infected with ages ranging from one to 10 years old.
As of this time, not a single fatality has been attributed to HFMD by local health authorities.
The top 10 Negros Occidental LGUs in terms of HFMD cases include Bago City at 241, followed by Cadiz City -105, Victorias City – 76, Manapla – 66, La Carlota City – 53, Talisay City – 42, Cauayan – 33, Pulupandan – 29, Kabankalan City – 24, and 22 in Don Salvador Benedicto.*
