Flu, HFMD Cases Down In First 2 Months Of 2016 — DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) noted a decrease in the number of influenza-like illness (ILI), commonly known as flu, and hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) nationwide cases recorded and gathered by Disease Surveillance Report of DOH-Epidemiology Bureau (DOH-EB).

Based on the record, a total of 12,611 ILI cases were reported from Jan. 1-Feb. 20, noting a 33.6 percent decrease compared with the 18,985 recorded cases in the same period in 2015.

Majority of the recorded cases were from Region 4-A with 15.2 percent, Region XII with 13.5 percent, Region 10 with 12.8 percent, Region 11 with 12.3 percent, and Region 1 with 10.8 percent.

ILI is defined as a medical diagnosis of possible influenza or other illness causing a set of common symptoms such as fever plus cough or sore throat.

ILI may be clinically indistinguishable from disease caused by acute respiratory viruses such as common cold, bronchiolitis, viral pneumonia and undifferentiated acute respiratory disease.

According to the DOH, ILI can be prevented by getting influenza vaccination annually; minimizing contact with person who has influenza; avoiding crowded places; distancing oneself by at least one meter from people who are coughing or have influenza; and washing hands frequently with soap and water.

Meanwhile, cases of HFMD registered a 13.92 percent decrease with 167 recorded from Jan. 1-Feb. 20, compared with the 194 cases reported over the same period last year.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HFMD is a common infectious viral disease of infants and children characterized by fever, painful mouth sores, and a rash with blisters on the hands, feet and buttocks.

The symptoms usually begins with a fever, poor appetite, malaise, and a sore throat.

Majority of the cases were recorded from Region 6 with 32.3 percent, Cordillera Administrative Region with 15 percent, Region 12 with 11.4 percent, Region 7 with 9.6 percent, and Region 4-A and National Capital Region with 6.1 percent.

HFMD prevalent among children

Children under five years old tend to have worse symptoms.

Furthermore, children are more likely to be susceptible to infection and illness from these viruses, because unlike adults their antibodies and immunity are not that high due to lack of previous exposures.

As a prevention, still, good hygiene can contribute in diminishing a person’s susceptibility and with that the agency advices disinfection of the premises.

HFMD must not be confused with foot-and-mouth disease as the latter is caused by a different virus and affects cattle, sheep, and pigs.(PNA) BNB/LSJ/SSC