A HEALTH worker disinfects a school in E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental. (Municipal PIO)
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Matthew Louis Malacon said there is no confirmed cases of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) yet in eight barangays of E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental.
“No cause for alarm yet,” he said as specimens are still undergoing laboratory testing by the Department of Health (DOH).
He urged residents to be calm. “We don’t want to sow fear among our constituents. We don’t want Saraviahanons to panic.”
Malacon directed Municipal Health Officer Dr. Edmundo Janeo Jr. to step up verification efforts while awaiting confirmation.
As precaution, classes in day-care centers and elementary schools with suspected infections were suspended from July 10 to 11 to allow thorough disinfection.
The cleanup was conducted in coordination with the DOH, Provincial Health Office, and Municipal Health Office.
As of July 9, 18 suspected HFMD cases have been reported in the town – five in Barangay Alicante, three each in Barangays Tabigue and Tuburan, two each in Barangays Nanca and III-Poblacion, and one each in Barangays Damgo, Gahit, and Tanza.
Malacon said they are taking every step to prevent further spread.
He reminded the public to practice good hygiene to prevent not only HFMD but other infectious diseases.
Malacon said no HFMD outbreak has been declared in the town. “Declaring an outbreak is not within my authority,” he said, adding that only the Municipal Health Office has the mandate pursuant to DOH Department Memorandum No. 2023-0103.
Vice Mayor Marvin Malacon has been appointed to head a special task force to further investigate the situation.
“We will release an official statement once confirmation from the DOH or Provincial Health Office is received,” the mayor said.