Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro asked the Department of Health (DOH) for help in containing the outbreak of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) among schoolchildren in several barangays in San Pascual, Batangas.
“Kami ay nanawagan kay Department of Health OIC Secretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire na bigyang pansin ang outbreak na ito. Alamin sana ng DOH ang pinagmulan nito. Sana ay makatulong sila upang agad itong masawata. Ito ay upang hindi na kumalat sa iba pang mga bayan at mapagpatuloy na ang naudlot na naman na pag-aaral sa mga eskuwela,” Luistro said.
“Alamin sana ng DOH ang pinagmulan nito. Sana ay makatulong sila upang agad itong masawata.”
The neophyte lawmaker made the call after around 100 children in San Pascual town got infected with HFMD.
Due to the outbreak, San Pascual Mayor Antonio Dimayuga issued an executive order declaring the suspension of classes from Oct. 18 to 21 for children going to Day Care up to Grade 3 in the eight barangays severely affected by the outbreak.
The lady lawmaker noted that HFMD might not be as severe as COVID-19, but the disease is highly contagious – as seen in San Pascual where the cases ballooned in just a few days – and may cause complications that can even result in death.
HFMD is an infectious disease common among children and generally spread through direct contact with secretions, such as saliva, from infected persons. Its symptoms include fever, painful sores in the mouth, rash, and blisters in hands, feet, and buttocks. In very rare cases though, complications such as viral meningitis, encephalitis, and paralysis may occur.
In the meantime, she said her office had already sent assistance to the families of the infected children while waiting for actions from the DOH.
“Sa mga panahong ito, napakabigat ang magkaroon ng panibagong dagok na nangangahulugan ng karagdagdang gastusin at pasakit.”
“Lalo na sa mga panahong ito, napakabigat ang magkaroon ng panibagong dagok na nangangahulugan ng karagdagdang gastusin at pasakit. Kaya ang aming tanggapan ay agad na nagparating ng tulong sa mga pamilya ng mga nagkasakit,” Luistro said.
