Council in Bacolod promotes preventive steps among primary schools to combat Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
In a bid to curb the spread of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in schools and childcare settings, the Bacolod City Council has approved a resolution urging child development centres and primary schools to implement preventive measures. The resolution, authored by Councilor Em Ang, comes in response to a total of 61 HFMD cases reported in Bacolod City from January to July 5, 2025.
According to Dr. Grace Tan, HFMD is a common childhood infectious illness caused by the coxsackie virus. The disease can spread through direct contact with an infected person's feces, and through touching infected objects and surfaces, as well as through droplets from coughing or sneezing, touching an infected person, direct contact through kissing, hugging, or sharing utensils.
Barangay Villamonte had the most cases with 10, followed by Barangay Estefania with 8, Barangay Granada with 4, and Barangays Tangub, Singcang-Airport, Banago, Cabug, Mandalagan, Bata, and Mansilingan each reporting 5 cases, and Barangays Alijis and Vista Alegre each reporting 3 cases. However, Dr. Tan did not mention specific locations in Bacolod City where HFMD cases have been reported.
To control the spread of HFMD, several preventive measures are recommended. Good hygiene practices are crucial, including encouraging regular handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom, before eating, and after touching shared surfaces or objects. Use of hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is also advised if soap and water are not available.
Avoiding sharing of items such as eating utensils, cups, toothbrushes, and other personal items is also important. Respiratory etiquette should be taught to children, with them being taught to sneeze or cough into a tissue or their elbow, and to wash hands immediately afterward.
Keeping affected children home until their symptoms have resolved, and all blisters have dried is another preventive measure. Regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces, toys, and common areas is also necessary to prevent virus transmission.
Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) such as isolation of sick children and improvement of ventilation in classrooms are also recommended to reduce virus spread. Vaccination is considered a long-term prevention strategy, but vaccines are not universally available for all types of HFMD viruses.
Educational campaigns are also essential to educate staff and parents on the importance of hygiene and preventive measures to control outbreaks. Early reporting of suspected cases is also encouraged to facilitate prompt action.
Ang emphasized the importance of these preventive measures, recommending promoting hand hygiene, encouraging respiratory etiquette, regular cleaning and disinfection, and monitoring symptoms. He also suggested educating students and parents about HFMD prevention and control measures.
With these preventive measures in place, the Bacolod City Council hopes to minimise the risk of HFMD outbreaks and ensure the health and safety of its citizens, particularly children.
- The implementations of health-and-wellness practices, such as regular handwashing and respiratory etiquette, are crucial in Bacolod City to lessen the spread of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD).
- In light of the increased awareness about HFMD, science education about the disease, its transmission, and prevention methods, like fitness-and-exercise routines promoting good hygiene, could potentially contribute to mental health improvements among students and parents in Bacolod City.
- To further combat the HFMD outbreak, schools and childcare centers in Bacolod City should focus on providing a clean and well-ventilated environment and emphasize the importance of preventive measures for the overall health and well-being of their students.
