Proactive stance on HFMD

The disease isn't fatal and is self-limiting within 7-10 days.

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Aside from mouth sores and rashes or blisters on the hands, feet, and buttocks, its symptoms are relatively mild. But with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) being highly contagious, afflicting mainly children under 5, and registering a three-fold increase in just a month, the Department of Health (DOH) has raised the alarm on this little-known malaise, if only to spread correct information and allay unwarranted fears. First off, it is not the same foot and mouth viral disease found in farm animals that has led to the culling of backyard livestock in recent months. One can't get handfoot-and-mouth disease from pets or other animals, and you can't spread it to them. The DOH on Saturday reported 7,598 HFMD cases from Jan. 1 to Feb. 22, almost triple the 2,665 cases logged during the same period in 2024.