Declaration of HFMD outbreak possible if cases increase in more regions — Solante

It is likely that there will be a declaration of an outbreak of the hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) if more regions in the country see an increase in cases, an infectious diseases expert said Thursday.

At the televised public briefing, Dr. Rontgene Solante said HFMD infections started in October in San Pascual, Batangas where there were 105 cases detected mostly among children aged one to 16.

In November, he said there were around 540 HFMD cases detected in Albay, affecting kids one to 10 years old. In the same month, 145 cases were also recorded in the Ilocos Region, mostly among kids aged four to nine.

The National Capital Region (NCR) also logged 155 HFMD cases recorded from October to December 6, and most of them are children aged 11 and below.

“Ibig sabihin, medyo kalat na itong hand, foot, and mouth disease at ‘di natin nais masabi na anytime mag-declare tayo ng outbreak dito especially kung maraming regions ang apektado nito,” Solante said.

(This means that this hand, foot, and mouth disease is quite widespread now and we don’t want to say it, but we might declare an outbreak anytime especially if many regions are affected by it.)

The Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday that cases of HFMD are increasing in Metro Manila, but there is no declaration of an outbreak yet for such.

Currently, Solante said the 155 HFMD cases in the NCR is not yet a reason to declare an outbreak. He said this could be declared if the cases spread in nearby regions and if the reported cases increase to more than 100% as compared to last year’s HFMD data.

“Pangatlo, ang importante dito ‘yung mga hospital hindi napupuno sa HFMD na mga kaso. Isa din ‘yan sa mga basehan kung kailan tayo magdede-declare ng outbreak,” he added.

(Thirdly, the important thing here is that the hospitals are not filled with HFMD cases. That is also one of the bases when we will declare an outbreak.)

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HFMD is a common infectious disease that most often affects children. Its common symptoms include fever, painful sores in the mouth, and a rash with blisters on hands, feet and buttocks.

“Paano ito nakukuha ng mga bata? Kapag humahawak sila sa mga bagay na contaminated doon sa mga dumi ng mga infected individual tapos hindi sila naghu-hugas ng kamay, puwede nilang makain o paghawak nila ng pagkain, pag-inom ng tubig, pwede nilang malunok ang virus na ‘to,” Solante said.

(How do children get it? When they touch things contaminated with the feces of infected individuals. If they do not wash their hands, they can swallow the virus if they eat or touch food or drink water.)

Children may also acquire the virus if they get contact with the respiratory secretion or the skin lesions of an HFMD-infected person, he added

He also pointed out that there are no over-the-counter drugs that could treat HFMD, aside from paracetamol for those having fever. There are also no vaccines available for such disease.

Solante emphasized that the preventive method against HFMD is washing of hands. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News