DOH: Cases of foot, mouth, hand disease triple from Jan. 1 to Feb. 22

Department of Health (DOH) (File Photo: Department of Health (Philippines)/Facebook)

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday reported 7,598 cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) from Jan. 1 to Feb. 22.

The tally is almost triple of the 2,665 HFMD cases logged during the same period in 2024.

About 52 percent of the reported HFMD cases are from Central Luzon, Mimaropa, the National Capital Region, and the Cordillera Administrative Region, according to a DOH news release.

Fifty-six percent or 4,225 of the total cases are children ages 4 years old and below. Meanwhile, about 2,069 cases are children ages five to nine years old.

“Bihirang makamatay ang HFMD at kusa itong gagaling, pero madali itong kumalat. Tandaan na dapat 20 segundo ang paghugas ng kamay gamit ang sabon at tubig. Umiwas muna sa ibang tao kung may sintomas (HFMD rarely results in death and it heals on its own, but it spreads quickly. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Stay away from people if you have symptoms),” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said.

HFMD is a contagious disease that spreads through spitting of saliva with virus. It can also be contracted by touching the eyes, nose, or mouth after touching or holding objects contaminated with the virus.

HFMD symptoms are mild, including fever, coughs, colds, mouth sores, and blisters in hands, feet, and buttocks. However, this can lead to serious complications like meningitis and encephalitis, or swelling of the brain.

“Kumonsulta agad sa pinakamalapit na health center kung makaranas ng mga ito (Go to the nearest health center for consultation once you experience the symptoms,” Herbosa said.

Suspected and confirmed cases of HFMD must not go to school or work. They must isolate at home for seven to 10 days or until their fever is gone or their wounds are healed.

It is advised that the patient’s cutlery and other personal belongings are segregated, and the place of isolation disinfected.