(CHO PR)
The City Health Office (CHO) is closely monitoring the rise in Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases in Zamboanga City, as this illness is classified as a notifiable disease under Republic Act No. 11332, also known as the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.
Recent surveillance data indicates a 33% increase in HFMD cases over the past two weeks (February 2–15, 2025) compared to the previous three to four weeks (January 19–February 1, 2025). As of Morbidity Week 7, a total of nine cases have been reported to CHO, which is 10% lower than the ten cases reported during the same period last year.
Currently, CHO is monitoring cases in multiple schools across the city. A joint investigation with the Zamboanga Peninsula Center for Health Development is being conducted following reports of HFMD at Putik Central School. Since January 2025, a total of 88 students have been reported with rashes, 18 of whom meet the case definition for HFMD. Laboratory samples have been collected and are pending confirmation from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).
HFMD is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects young children and is characterized by fever, painful mouth sores, and skin rashes on the hands, feet, and buttocks. It spreads through direct contact with infected individuals, respiratory droplets, and contaminated surfaces, making proper hygiene and early detection critical in preventing further transmission.
The City Health Office urges parents, guardians, and school officials to take immediate preventive measures to control the spread of HFMD.
Parents are advised to seek medical consultation if their children develop symptoms and report cases to the nearest health center for proper monitoring. Practicing good hygiene habits, such as regular handwashing with soap and water, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, and avoiding the sharing of personal items such as utensils, water bottles, and towels, is strongly encouraged.
Parents should also keep sick children at home until they have fully recovered to prevent further spread of the virus in schools and the community.
CHO remains committed to monitoring the situation and implementing necessary interventions. The cooperation of the community is essential in preventing outbreaks and ensuring the health and safety of children in schools and households.
For further inquiries or to report HFMD cases, the public is encouraged to contact their nearest health center. Updates will continue to be provided as more information becomes available. (CHO PR)
