Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro on Tuesday, Oct. 18, asked the Department of Health (DOH) to look into the outbreak of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD), which has so far affected 100 children, in seven barangays in Batangas.
This came after San Pascual Mayor Antonio Dimayuga suspended classes from Oct. 18 to 21 after some 100 children were affected by the disease. There are 56 children reportedly having fever.
“Kami ay nanawagan kay (We call on) Department of Health OIC (officer-in-charge) Secretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire na bigyang pansin ang (to give attention to this) outbreak na ito,” Luistro said.
“Maaring ang unang reaksyon ay ipagsawalang bahala lamang dahil sa ang (The first reaction might be to take it for granted because) HFMD ay hindi malala gaya ng (isn’t as worse as) Covid. Subalit maraming nakakamatay na kumplikasyon ang (But there are many deadly complications of) HFMD,” she added.
She noted that HFMD spreads quickly as evident in the outbreak in San Pascual where 100 students were affected just in a few days.
This has led to the disruption of their face-to-face classes.
The lawmaker lamented that her province had to face another health problem when students have just returned to attending classes in-person after two years of online classes.
“Lalo na sa mga panahong ito, napakabigat ang magkaroon ng panibagong dagok na nangangahulugan ng karagdagdang gastusin at pasakit. Kaya ang aming tanggapan ay agad na nagparating ng tulong sa mga pamilya ng mga nagkasakit (Especially in these times, it is very hard to suffer another hit that would mean additional expenses and suffering. That’s why our office immediately sent help to the families of those who fell sick),” Luistro said.
“Alamin sana ng DOH ang pinagmulan nito. Sana ay makatulong sila upang agad itong masawata. Ito ay upang hindi na kumalat sa iba pang mga bayan at mapagpatuloy na ang naudlot na naman na pag-aaral sa mga eskuwela (The DOH should investigate where this started. Hopefully, they can help to stop this. This is so it wouldn’t spread to other towns and the students can continue their studies in the schools),” he concluded.
According to Luistro’s statement, HFMD is a viral and infectious disease common among children. Its symptoms include fever, painful sores in the mouth, rash and blisters in hands, feet and buttocks.
More severe symptoms such as meningitis, encephalitis and polio-like paralysis may occur.