By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) has begun monitoring for hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) after 60 cases were reported in the city so far this year.

CHO Environment and Sanitation division head, Dr. Grace Tan, explained HFMD is a highly contagious disease which can be passed by touching an infected person’s blisters or direct contact with the infected person’s saliva.

Common symptoms of the disease include fever, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, malaise, loss of appetite, and irritability for children.

Tan added, it is important for HFMD-infected individuals to seek immediate medical attention as the disease can be deadly if left untreated.

Aside from HFMD, Tan also warned of other water-borne illnesses such as colds, flu, and leptospirosis.

In the case of leptospirosis, Tan stated they have recorded eight cases in Bacolod City since January 1 of this year, with three dying from the disease.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease caught by touching soil or water contaminated with the urine of an infected animal./DGB, WDJ