LIGAO CITY — At least 41 elementary students of Albay Central School in Legazpi City had been infected with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), prompting authorities to intensify preventive measures.
William Sabater, sanitary engineer at the Albay provincial health office, told the Inquirer in a phone interview Tuesday that the disease initially affected 15 students.
“But as of today (Thursday), we already have 41 pupils suffering from the viral infection,” he said.
HFMD is a contagious viral infection that commonly affects children. It is caused by a group of enteroviruses, including Coxsackievirus A16 (CA16) and Enterovirus 71 (EV71).
Symptoms are fever that may last 24 to 48 hours, painful mouth sores, and rashes and blisters on the hands, feet, and buttocks.
Sabater said they first traced the infection to a Grade 1 pupil. The disease has spread to several kindergarten students.
“Right now, the sick students are not attending the in-person classes to avoid the contagion, but … they are doing the online session,” he added.
To stem the spread of infection, Sabater said they would disinfect the school area and conduct orientation for faculty members to raise awareness about the disease. INQ
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