Health authorities are currently conducting an investigation to determine the cause of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases in Batangas, the Department of Health - (DOH) Calabarzon said.
In a statement, the DOH-Calabarzon said it already “started the epidemiological investigation to find the source” of “HFMD outbreak” in San Pascual, Batangas.
DOH-Calabarzon Regional Director Ariel Valencia said they have started the conduct of “active case-finding” and already sent specimens to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Metro Manila “to determine the causative agent.”
“This can help us in the clinical management of the disease by preventing further complications," said Valencia.
The DOH-Calabarzon said it recorded 105 cases with “clinical symptoms of HFMD” from Sept. 26 to Oct. 16, “but only 49 cases fit the suspect HFMD case definition.”
It also noted that most of the cases are children aged one to 16 years old and majority of them are male.
The patients were mostly pupils from different schools within the community and residents of 11 different barangays: Brgy. Pook ng Kapitan, Brgy. Sambat, Brgy. Natunuan North, Brgy. Poblacion, Brgy. Pook ni Banal, Brgy. San Antonio, Brgy. Resplandor, Brgy. Antipolo, Brgy. Mataas na Lupa, Brgy. Palsahingin and Brgy. Alalum,” the DOH-Calabarzon said.
“The DOH has already provided disinfection solutions to sanitize the affected schools and has distributed educational materials about the evolving HFMD to keep the community aware of its transmission and take the necessary precautions against HFMD infection,” the DOH regional office said.
“We assure the public that the DOH, together with the Municipality of San Pascual, are on top of the situation,” said Valencia.
HFMD is a “contagious viral infection that commonly affects young children and is characterized by sores in the mouth and rashes on the hands and feet,” the DOH-Calabarzon said.
Its mode of transmission is through droplets or direct contact with nasal discharges, saliva, feces, and fluid from the rashes of an infected individual.
Parents were urged to teach their children protective habits such as frequent handwashing, wearing a mask, and covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing.
Children must eat more fruits and vegetables and exercise regularly to increase their immunity against infectious diseases such as HFMD, the DOH-Calabarzon.
"There is no specific treatment for HFMD. But with good personal hygiene, regular cleaning and disinfecting of common areas or frequently touched surfaces, and avoiding close contact with someone who has hand-foot-and-mouth disease can reduce your child's risk of infection," said Valencia.
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