Davao logs 30 HFMD cases on Oct. 3-16

The City Health Office (CHO) reported 30 cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in the city between Oct. 3 and 16. Dr. Tomas Miguel Ababon, CHO officer in charge, noted that a school recently shifted to online classes due to the spread of HFMD but the cases were not isolated to one classroom. 'These cases involve 16 different sections, with some classrooms having one or two cases each. It's not a severe outbreak,' Ababon said in a statement Friday. HFMD is transmitted through direct contact and droplets. Ababon said treatment focuses on managing symptoms, such as giving antipyretics for fever and fluids for dehydration. The CHO, through its Environmental Sanitation and Tropical Disease Divisions, is conducting regular disinfection of parks and playgrounds. Meanwhile, the City Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (CESU) is closely monitoring HFMD cases in coordination with school clinics to prevent its further spread. 'Surveillance is critical to control infectious diseases and identify any complicati ons that may arise, such as myocarditis or seizures, even though HFMD is generally mild,' Ababon said. HFMD typically affects children under six years old, particularly in schools and day care centers. Although adults may carry the virus without symptoms, they can still spread the disease. Source: Philippines News agency