BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Department of Health calls on the communities to be vigilant against hand, foot and mouth disease or HFMD as a spike in cases of the infectious disease have been monitored.
DOH-Cordillera Medical Officer IV Dr. Jennifer Joyce Pira, in a Kapihan media forum on July 8, reported that from January to June 21, 2025, there were a total of 703 HFMD cases in the region, a 172 percent increase compared to the 258 cases recorded during the same period in 2024.
Benguet posted the highest cases with 216, followed by Mountain Province with 181 and Baguio City with 104. Apayao recorded 78, Ifugao with 70, Kalinga with 35 and Abra with 19. All provinces, including Baguio City recorded an increase in cases compared to last year, Pira shared.
HFMD symptoms include acute febrile illness – fever and sore throat, as well as rashes on the palms, foot, mouth and at times at the buttocks.
HFMD can spread through droplets with virus particles made after a person sneezes, objects and surfaces that have virus particles and fluids from blisters of an infected person, she added.
In combating the spread of HFMD, Pira outlined the importance of the PDITR strategy for the prevention, detection, isolation, treatment and reintegration.
She stressed the importance of regular and proper handwashing, avoiding touching of face with unwashed hands, and for regular cleaning of frequently touched surfaces, in schools and at home.
There is no direct medication for HFMD, though its symptoms can be managed at home, by relieving the pain and fever and preventing dehydration.
If your child cannot drink well and dehydrated, has fever that last longer than three days, has weakened immune system, is having severe symptoms that do not improve after 10 days, bring the child to a health care provider, Pira said
With the HFMD virus highly transmissible, Pira also called for community actions especially in protecting the school children.
“We encourage everyone to participate by reporting to health care authorities whenever they feel or they see someone who might be having an illness which will affect the whole community,” Pira stressed. **JDP/CCD with Nichole Tique/PIA-Tarlac State University
