Bacolod City – While it acknowledged the efforts being implemented to prevent the spread of hand-foot-and-mouth disease, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental wants the Provincial Health Office to further intensify its prevention and control measures against the disease.
Board Member Hope Marey “Bambi” Depasucat, in a resolution she sponsored which was unanimously approved by the SP during its recent session, she stressed the need to intensify and strengthen further the efforts for HFMD monitoring, prevention programs, training and emergency response activities.
The province of Negros Occidental reported 828 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) this year, affecting mostly children aged one to 10.
The figure is 246.44 percent higher than the 239 cases reported during the same period last year, data from the provincial health office showed.
Our school year has just opened, and with the nature of HFMD on how it is transmitted, it poses a danger to public health, especially our children, Depasucat said.
HFMD is a common illness that usually causes fever, mouth sores and skin rashes. It can spread quickly in schools and daycare centers. Most patients heal on their own within seven to 10 days.
While symptoms may include fever, sore throat, mouth blisters and rashes in the hands and feet, complications from HFMD are rare, according to health authorities.
Meanwhile, a resolution urging child development centers and primary schools in Bacolod City to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of hand, foot and mouth disease, was approved by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod recently.
Authored by Councilor Em Ang, chair of the SP Committee on Health, the resolution said hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral disease that primarily affects infants and children under the age of 5.
The City Health Office reports a total of 56 confirmed cases as of morbidity week 26, and showing an upward trend, it said.
FHMD can spread rapidly in schools and childcare settings due to close contact among children, the resolution said.
Preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of outbreaks and protect the health of students, staff, and faculty, it said.
Child development centers and schools are encouraged to promote hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, regular cleaning and disinfection, monitor for symptoms, advise exclusion of students with symptoms of HFMD until they are no longer contagious, and educate students and parents and staff about HFMD prevention and control measures.
Schools are also urged to consider developing a response plan for potential outbreaks, including communication strategies with parents, barangay health centers, and the City Health Office. (Chrysee Semillano/ Gilbert Bayoran via tvds photo by tvds)