By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is set to declare an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in the province after a 6,300 percent increase in cases was reported this year.

Lacson said he is currently awaiting the recommendation from the Provincial Health Office (PHO).

“[A] 6,300 percent increase is very alarming, and they [PHO] are in a better position to advise a declaration of an outbreak,” Lacson said.

The governor further added he will most likely agree with the declaration, and all municipal and city governments should exert more effort in informing their respective constituents against HFMD.

Lacson also echoed the earlier advice made by PHO head Dr. Ernell Tumimbang to the Department of Education-Negros Occidental Schools Division that they should monitor their students.

“If they show signs or symptoms dapat papulion na lang siguro kag i-isolate sa ila balay,” Tumimbang said.

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.

HFMD is characterized by painful sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet.

The illness also includes the following symptoms:

• fever
• sore throat
• feeling unwell
• painful, red, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks
• a red rash, without itching but sometimes with blistering on the palms, soles, and sometimes the buttocks
• irritability in infants and toddlers
• loss of appetite

Earlier, PHO released data showing 320 HFMD cases in the province — very high compared to only five cases in the same period last year.

Kabankalan City currently has the highest number of cases at 73.

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./DGB, WDJ