It is probably going that there will likely be a declaration of an outbreak of the hand, foot, and mouth illness (HFMD) if extra areas within the nation see a rise in instances, an infectious ailments professional mentioned Thursday.
At the televised public briefing, Dr. Rontgene Solante mentioned HFMD infections began in October in San Pascual, Batangas the place there have been 105 instances detected largely amongst kids aged one to 16.
In November, he mentioned there have been round 540 HFMD instances detected in Albay, affecting children one to 10 years previous. In the identical month, 145 instances had been additionally recorded within the Ilocos Region, largely amongst children aged 4 to 9.
The National Capital Region (NCR) additionally logged 155 HFMD instances recorded from October to December 6, and most of them are kids aged 11 and under.
“Ibig sabihin, medyo kalat na itong hand, foot, and mouth illness at ‘di natin nais masabi na anytime mag-declare tayo ng outbreak dito especially kung maraming regions ang apektado nito,” Solante said.
(This means that this hand, foot, and mouth disease is quite widespread now and we don’t wish to say it, however we would declare an outbreak anytime particularly if many areas are affected by it.)
The Department of Health (DOH) mentioned Tuesday that instances of HFMD are growing in Metro Manila, however there isn’t a declaration of an outbreak but for such.
Currently, Solante mentioned the 155 HFMD instances within the NCR is just not but a purpose to declare an outbreak. He mentioned this may very well be declared if the instances unfold in close by areas and if the reported instances improve to greater than 100% as in comparison with final yr’s HFMD information.
“Pangatlo, ang importante dito ‘yung mga hospital hindi napupuno sa HFMD na mga kaso. Isa din ‘yan sa mga basehan kung kailan tayo magdede-declare ng outbreak,” he added.
(Thirdly, the vital factor right here is that the hospitals are usually not stuffed with HFMD instances. That can also be one of many bases once we will declare an outbreak.)
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HFMD is a standard infectious illness that the majority usually impacts kids. Its widespread signs embrace fever, painful sores within the mouth, and a rash with blisters on palms, toes and buttocks.
“Paano ito nakukuha ng mga bata? Kapag humahawak sila sa mga bagay na contaminated doon sa mga dumi ng mga infected individual tapos hindi sila naghu-hugas ng kamay, puwede nilang makain o paghawak nila ng pagkain, pag-inom ng tubig, pwede nilang malunok ang virus na ‘to,” Solante mentioned.
(How do kids get it? When they contact issues contaminated with the feces of contaminated people. If they don’t wash their palms, they’ll swallow the virus in the event that they eat or contact meals or drink water.)
Children might also purchase the virus in the event that they get contact with the respiratory secretion or the pores and skin lesions of an HFMD-infected individual, he added
He additionally identified that there are not any over-the-counter medicine that might deal with HFMD, apart from paracetamol for these having fever. There are additionally no vaccines obtainable for such illness.
Solante emphasised that the preventive technique in opposition to HFMD is washing of palms. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
