The Department of Health (DOH) Center for Health Development in Bicol warned the public against Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), a highly contagious viral disease primarily affecting children.
The warning came just as a Virac preschool allegedly suspended classes for a day three weeks ago to allow disinfection of the school facilities.
According to a parent whose child came down with the infection, the spate of HFMD cases at the preschool started sometime on the second week of July 2025.
While her kid and some of the classmates had to isolate at home to recover from the symptoms, some of those who were infected had to be confined as mouth sores prevented them from eating food.
The Tribune tried to verify if the outbreak was reported to the Provincial Health Office but it was claimed that the last recorded HFMD case at the Provincial Epidemiological Surveillance Unit was last June 2025.
According to the DOH-CHD Bicol, the disease is caused by viruses from the Enterovirus genus, including Coxsackievirus A16 (CA16) and Enterovirus 71 (EV71).
Most cases are mild, self-limiting, and non-fatal, especially if caused by CA16, but the EV71 infection is a concern as it can cause severe disease, potentially leading to meningitis, encephalitis, polio-like paralysis, neurogenic pulmonary edema, cardiac pulmonary hemorrhage, and sometimes death.
HFMD is a priority disease for surveillance under Republic Act No. 11332 (“Mandatory Reporting of
Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act”).
The disease spreads mainly through person-to-person contact, particularly through contact with infected nose and throat secretions (saliva, sputum, nasal mucus); respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing; fluid from blisters or scabs; infected fecal material; and contaminated objects and surfaces.
Symptoms include fever, mouth sores, skin rashes on palms and soles as well as buttocks, arms, and legs.
Parents and guardians are advised to keep children with suspect, probable, or confirmed HFMD at home, away from school or day-care, until they are without fever and all sores or rashes have dried up, as advised by a healthcare provider.
Mild and uncomplicated HFMD is usually self-limiting and can be managed on an outpatient basis with supportive treatment, adequate hydration, and rest.
Over-the-counter medications, such as paracetamol, can help relieve fever and painful sores, with patients advised to seek medical consultation if symptoms persist beyond 10 days or if severe signs appear.
Individuals with uncomplicated HFMD typically recover in 7 to 10 days and can resume regular activities upon recovery while practicing Minimum Public Health Standards.
In the community, the DOH advisory states, the spread of HFMD can be prevented by resorting to strict handwashing with soap and water for at least 40-60 seconds, especially before and after toilet use, and hand hygiene using alcohol-based sanitizer.
Classrooms, public areas, high-touch surfaces, and soiled items should be regularly disinfected while people, especially children, should avoid close contact like kissing, hugging or sharing eating utensils or cups with infected people.
Proper waste disposal should be observed, it added, along with the observation of Minimum Public Health Standards (MPHS), including mask-wearing (especially when sneezing/coughing) and physical distancing, and the provision of water supply and basic sanitation facilities.