By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO) said they have recorded 320 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in the province.

Based on the latest figures released by the PHO, the number is too high compared to the five cases logged in the same period last year.

Kabankalan City has the highest number of HFMD cases with 73.

The PHO has already sounded the alarm bells in some local government units, and told their respective municipal and city health officers to intensify their information drives on how to avoid HFMD, such as observing minimum public health standards.

Meanwhile, in Bacolod City, 28 HFMD cases have been recorded among young children since January of this year, data from the City Health Office (CHO) showed yesterday.

The cases consist of 12 girls and 16 boys.

The CHO monitored HFMD cases in 13 barangays, with Estefania and Banago having the highest number of cases with four each; followed by Handumanan, Taculing and Villamonte with three each; Mansilingan, Mandalagan and Singcang-Airport with two each; and barangays 2, 13, Bata, Tangub and Vista Alegre with one each.

The prevention of potential infections includes handwashing and avoiding sharing of items, CHO said.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control, HFMD is an infection caused by a group of enteroviruses.

HFMD is common among young children under five years old, but adults could still get infected.

Symptoms include fever, mouth sores and skin rash.

The illness spreads through direct contact with droplets from coughing or sneezing, touching an infected person or through kissing, hugging, or sharing utensils, contact with an infected person’s feces, and touching infected objects and surfaces./ With a report from PNA / DGB, WDJ