The province of Iloilo logged 219 cases of the highly contagious hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) in the first three months of 2024.
The cases were recorded in 36 towns, including Passi City, data from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) showed.
Igbaras registered the most number of HFMD cases in the province from January to March this year with 27.
Lambunao came in second with 18 cases, followed by Barotac Nuevo, 15; Santa Barbara, 14; Oton, 14; Barotac Viejo, 14; Banate, 12; Maasin, 12; Lemery, 11; and San Dionisio, 8.
Other towns recorded seven cases and below.
On the other hand, the towns that remain HFMD-free are Alimodian, Dingle, Dueñas, Estancia, Pavia, San Enrique, and San Miguel.
According to PHO, majority of the reported cases involved children.
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, PHO head, advised parents to isolate their children if they have signs and symptoms of HFMD to prevent the further spread of the disease.
HFMD is transmitted through contact with nose and throat discharges and saliva of infected persons and contaminated objects.
Among its symptoms are fever, sore throat, malaise, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums, and the inside of the cheeks, irritability in infants and toddlers, and loss of appetite.IMT
