The Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public to practice good hygiene amid rising cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD).
The DOH said in a statement on Saturday that it recorded 7,598 HFMD cases between January 1 and February 22, which is almost three times more than the number of cases reported (2,665) in the same period in 2024.
However, it was less than the more than 2,500 cases that were reported in a single week in February 2023.
Majority (52%) of the HFMD cases in 2025 were recorded in Central Luzon, MIMAROPA, Metro Manila, and the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR). Some 56% or 4,225 cases involve children 4 years old and below, while 2,069 cases belong to ages 5 to 9 years.
“Bihirang makamatay ang HFMD at kusa itong gagaling, pero madali itong kumalat. Tandaan na dapat 20 segundo ang paghugas ng kamay gamit ang sabon at tubig. Umiwas muna sa ibang tao kung may sintomas… Kumonsulta agad sa pinakamalapit na health center kung makaranas ng mga ito,” said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.
(HFMD rarely causes death and often heals by itself, but it spreads easily. Remember that washing hands using soap and water must take 20 seconds. Avoid interacting with people if you have symptoms… Consult the nearest health center should you experience these.)
According to the World Health Organization, HFMD is a common infectious disease that most often affects children. Its common symptoms include fever, painful sores in the mouth, and a rash with blisters on hands, feet, and buttocks.
However, more serious symptoms like encephalitis, meningitis, and polio-like paralysis may manifest.
HFMD patients must stay in their homes and isolate themselves for seven to ten days, or until their fever goes down and their wounds heal, the DOH said. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News
