The number of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) in Negros Occidental from January to August 15 this year hit 140, or 6,900 percent higher compared to two cases reported in 2014, a Provincial Health Office report said yesterday.

The increase in cases can be attributed to better reporting of HFMD cases now than in the past, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, Negros Occidental provincial health officer, said.

The areas with the most number of HFMD cases were Cadiz City with 90 and Sagay City – 15.

The age range of those hit by HFMD was from one month to 28 years old, with 82 males and 58 females, the PHO report said,

The age groups with high HFMD cases were 1 to 5 years old with 89, and below 1-year-old at 32.

HFMD is a common viral illness of infants and children, a Department of Health advisory said.

It is caused by a virus of the family Picornaviridee, genus Aphthovirus.

It spreads by contact with nose and throat discharges, saliva of infected persons, or after touching contaminated objects, the advisory said.

Signs and symptoms are fever, sore throat, feeling of being unwell (malaise), painful, red, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks, red rash, without itching but sometimes with blistering, on the palms, soles, and sometimes the buttocks, irritability in infants and toddlers and loss of appetite, the DOH advisory said.*CPG

back to top