TACLOBAN CITY – The City of Borongan recently declared an outbreak of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) with 123 cases logged since January this year.
John Kelly Cainday, Borongan City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) Epidemiology Officer, expressed alarm over the rapid increase of HFMD in their city since the last week of January.
He disclosed that some of the first cases were reported in Brgys. Campesao, Balud, Bugas, Santa Fe, Canjaway, and Tabunanan.
The official expects more HFMD cases to be added for this morbidity week considering that at least 33 barangays have been affected by the virus.
He revealed that adults who are usually asymptomatic serve as a carrier of the disease, while children from 10 years younger show symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, red rashes in palms, soles, mouth, and other extremities, as well as sore throat.
The highly-contagious disease, accordingly, is caused by two viruses called Coxsackievirus, which is non-lethal and causes mild symptoms, and Enterovirus, which may cause meningitis and could potentially become lethal if not treated.
The official stressed that while they aim to avoid mortality, they also want to decrease morbidity or those that will be affected by the virus. He cited the importance of handwashing and wearing facemasks to avoid droplets from spreading. By Marie Tonette Marticio (EV Mail March 6-12, 2023 issue)
