DAGUPAN CITY – The Center for Health Development in the Ilocos region reported an increase in the number of hand, foot, and mouth disease this year.
Dr. Rheuel Bobis, spokesman of the Center for Health Development in the Ilocos region, said in a local radio station interview that there is a slight increase in hand, foot, and mouth disease cases.
One-hundred forty-five cases were recorded the region. Pangasinan has 70 cases and Dagupan City has 16 suspected and one positive HFMD case.
Thirty-five areas in the region are being monitored by the Department of Health for the presence of the disease.
Symptoms include high fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, swelling of the throat, and rash on the skin, especially in the hands, mouth, and feet.
Health officials urged the public, especially parents, to immediately consult a doctor if their children between the ages of four to nine who are usually affected by this disease show symptoms