LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – Forty-one foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) cases have been detected by the Albay Provincial Health Office (PHO) among schoolchildren at the Albay Central School here since Tuesday, Nov. 15.
"Nakatanggap kami ng epidemiological report mula sa Legazpi City Health Office na mayroong 15 kaso ng FMD sa Albay Central School. Within three days, naging 41 agad siya so highly contagious (We initially received an epidemiological report from the Legazpi City Health Office that Albay Central School had 15 cases of FMD. Within three days, the number of cases went up to 41 so it is highly contagious)," Engr. William Sabater, Albay PHO sanitary engineer, said.
Sabater said that they will immediately conduct disinfection activities in the entire school.
As a result of these cases, face-to-face classes have been suspended and affected classes will hold online classes for the meantime, he said.
The Albay PHO will conduct information, education, and communication and orient Albay Central School faculty on how to prevent and control FMD, Sabater added.
He said that the number of detected cases is alarming although FMD has a low fatality rate.
Its origin cannot be determined but Sabater said that the virus originated from a student exposed to a hog.
Humans infected with FMD show tingling, annoying, and itchy blisters or rashes in the hands and feet. Sore throat and mild fever could also experienced by humans with FMD, Sabater said.
Affected schoolchildren have been given antibiotics to prevent the further spread of the virus.