AT least five confirmed cases of students with hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) were detected among students at Matina Central Elementary School in Davao City as of last week.
School principal Marietta Gaer told SunStar Davao on Monday, February 6 that the five cases came from the same section of a Grade 2 class wherein only one student was infected at first before it spread to four other students.
As of writing, additional two cases are being verified.
"Siguro na-expose siya unya pag about sa school, wala nabantayan dayon nga naa diay siya FMD so naa pud uban natakdan (Maybe the student was already exposed and when they got to school, we didn’t notice it immediately so the other students got infected)," Gaer said in an interview.
It is not yet confirmed whether or not the first student caught HFMD inside the school premises or from their local community and barangay but school officials and parents are already warned about the possible infection.
Gaer said the class teacher first noticed the signs of HFMD on the said student and then immediately advised the parents to seek consultation and inform the school once it is confirmed by the doctor.
According to the Department of Health, HFMD is transmitted through respiratory droplets, nose and throat secretions such as saliva, drool, or nasal mucus, fluid from blisters or scabs, as well as feces from an infected person.
It is a contagious viral infection that commonly affects children and its symptoms include fever, mouth sores, and skin rash.
The five infected students were advised to isolate at home to avoid spreading HFMD to other students. They were also given class modules during their absence in order to keep up with school activities.
In the meantime, school authorities have already disinfected the classroom of the involved Grade 2 class while other year levels were also advised to do the same. Students were also encouraged to practice proper hand hygiene.
“Gipakusgan namo ang (We are strengthening) proper handwashing, then alcohol and facemask. Virus kasi ang HFMD so social distancing, na wag lang sila mag sigi lapit sa classmate nila (HFMD is a virus so we are also encouraging social distancing, to avoid getting too close to their classmates),” Gaer said.
As of writing, the first student who was infected already returned to school while the four others are still recovering at home. ICM