Classes suspended in daycare up to Grade 3 in 8 barangays in Batangas town due to HFMD

The local government unit of San Pascual, Batangas has suspended classes in daycare up to Grade 3 until Friday in eight barangays after 150 were found to have been infected with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).

According to Lei Alvis’ report on “24 Oras” on Tuesday, these barangays were Pook ni Kapitan, Pook ni Banal, Resplandor, Natunuan North, Antipolo, Mataas na Lupa. Sambat, and Sto Nino.

“Nung time na ‘yun nagkaroon lang po siya ng mga blisters. Nakita ko po sa tuhod niya. Then sabi sa akin ng doktor ay nagsisimula pa lang ang HFMD niya. Nabigyan naman po agad ng lunas. Pangangati lang at hindi naman siya nilagnat dahil nagamot siya agad,” said the mother of an HFMD patient.

(At that time, she had blisters which I saw on her knees. Then the doctor told me that she was having early HFMD. She was given treatment immediately. She had itching but she did not have a fever because she was treated right away.)

To prevent the disease from spreading, authorities have disinfected classrooms and distributed medicines as well as vitamins to the children.

The Department of Health (DOH) officer in charge Ma. Rosario Vergeire said the DOH was checking if the disease had spread to other towns in Batangas.

“We already did our investigation at nagbigay na rin tayo ng mga preventive measures para sa mga barangay na ito,” Vergeire said.

(We already did our investigation and we have also given preventive measures for these barangays.)

The HFMD, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention US CDC), is caused by viruses from the enterovirus family.

Some of its symptoms are fever, cough, cold, and lesions in the mouth, hands and feet, the DOH said.

“Usually, itong mga sintomas na ito ay mild lang siya. At katulad ng ibang virus self-limiting. Ibig sabihin kapag tapos ng lima hanggang pitong araw tapos na ang sakit. Usually, ang mga apektado dito ay mga bata. Pero it can happen to anybody,” Vergerie said.

(Usually, these symptoms are mild. And like other viruses, it is self-limiting. It means that after five to seven days the disease is cured. Usually, those affected by HFMD are children, but it can happen to anybody.)

“Kapag nagkakaroon ng komplikasyon, nagkakaroon siya ng meningitis, encephalitis o ‘yung iba nagkakaroon ng polio like paralysis,” she added.

(When there are complications, a patient could suffer meningitis, encephalitis or polio like paralysis.)

According to the US CDC, HFMD is apparently not serious but because it is highly contagious, it spreads quickly in schools and daycare centers.

It added that the disease was transmitted through person-to-person contact, respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated objects.

Moreover, the US CDC said HFMD could be prevented through proper hand washing, disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces, and avoiding close contact with sick people. —Mel Matthew Doctor/NB, GMA News