Tacloban: Confirmed cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) have prompted a major school in this city to suspend in-person classes for one week, affecting activities of over 12,000 students.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) announced that it has shifted all its classes to online and asynchronous modes from October 6 to 10, to facilitate a thorough disinfection process. The state-run university, accommodating 12,400 students this academic year, is undertaking comprehensive cleaning of classrooms, offices, laboratories, restrooms, and other shared areas following five confirmed HFMD cases on its main campus.
EVSU stated, "This cleaning effort aims to prevent further transmission and ensure a safe environment before students and staff return to in-person classes." In addition to the suspension of face-to-face learning, the institution has closed its campus store, TechnoMart, and instructed non-teaching personnel to sanitize their offices and workspaces thoroughly.
The outbreak's first confirmed case is reportedly that of a Grade 10 student from EVSU Secondary Laboratory School, which is located within the college campus and has 87 learners. The student contracted the illness last week, prompting the university to take precautionary measures.
The EVSU administration emphasized their commitment to prioritizing the health and safety of the university community by actively monitoring the situation and collaborating closely with health authorities to control the infection's spread. The university has also urged everyone to practice proper hygiene and report any HFMD symptoms immediately to the university health services for prompt attention.
The Department of Health notes that HFMD is highly contagious and typically affects children. Common symptoms include fever, mouth sores, or a rash on the hands and feet. The virus spreads quickly through activities such as coughing, sneezing, or sharing objects. To prevent further transmission, the public is encouraged to wash their hands frequently, avoid touching their faces, clean frequently used items, and consult a health center immediately at the first sign of symptoms.
