THE Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said the recent spike in hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) cases does not imply a dangerous outbreak but is a result of improved case reporting.
“We cannot call this an outbreak,” said DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, explaining that 94 percent of the logged cases are still considered “suspect” and are not yet laboratory-confirmed.
As of Aug. 9, the latest DOH data showed HFMD cases reaching 37,368 — over seven times higher than the 5,081 cases during the same period last year.
Despite the increase, Domingo emphasized that HFMD is not fatal and usually resolves within 7 to 10 days.
But DOH urged the public to remain cautious, especially during the wet season when transmission of the viral infection is more likely.
HFMD spreads through saliva, respiratory droplets, and contaminated surfaces.
Rise in HFMD cases due to better reporting, not outbreak
Symptoms include fever, sore throat, rashes, and painful sores on the hands, feet, and inside the mouth.
In an earlier report, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa noted that the disease is highly contagious among children, because they spend more time indoors in the rainy season, making transmission easier.
While there is no specific cure, supportive treatment such as hydration, rest, and fever reducers can help patients recover faster., This news data comes from:http://erlvyiwan.com
- Alex Eala targets US Open Round of 32 in rematch against Spanish rival
- Transport chief pushes shame campaign vs errant motorists
- Cyclone's trough, habagat will bring cloudy skies, rain showers over PH
- Pagasa monitors LPA off Cavite, may still become tropical depression
- Taiwan: China illegally deploying oil rigs in its waters
- Metro Manila, rest of Luzon would be rainy due to ‘habagat’ —Pagasa
- Co out of country for medical reasons
- Sotto ousts Escudero in Senate coup
- Pagasa monitors 2 LPAs inside PAR; prevailing 'habagat' brings rain across PH
- In Taiwan, competing narratives over the meaning of China's massive military show
