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- Title
School outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease in Balungao, Pangasinan Province, Philippines, October 2022.
- Authors
Victori, Emeryn C.; Ventura, Ray Justin C.; Blanco, Mariz Zheila C.; Pamintuan, Rosario P.; Magpantay, Rio L.; Lonogan, Karen B.
- Abstract
Objective: On 24 September 2022, the Regional Public Health Unit in Ilocos received a report of a cluster of suspected hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in one school in Balungao, Pangasinan Province, the Philippines. On 4 October 2022, the public health unit sent a team from the Field Epidemiology Training Program - Intermediate Course to conduct an outbreak investigation. Methods: Active case-finding was conducted at the school. A suspected case was defined as any student or staff member with mouth ulcers and papulovesicular or maculopapular rash on the palms, fingers, soles of the feet or buttocks occurring from 1 September to 5 October 2022. We interviewed school officials about possible sources of infection and students' activities. We collected oropharyngeal swab samples for testing. Findings were used for descriptive analysis. Results: Nine suspected cases of HFMD were detected, with the highest number of cases (6, 67%) occurring in children in grade 1. The majority of cases (7, 78%) were 6 years old, and five cases (56%) were male. Seven (78%) of the cases had been exposed to a confirmed case of HFMD, as reported by their parents or guardians and teachers. Six cases (67%) were positive for coxsackievirus A16 and two (22%) for enterovirus. Discussion: The causative agents of this outbreak were coxsackievirus A16 and other enteroviruses. Direct contact with a confirmed case was the source of transmission, with a lack of physical distancing in classrooms likely contributing to transmission. We recommended that the local government implement measures to control the outbreak.
- Subjects
PHILIPPINES; FOOT &; mouth disease; SOCIAL distancing; MOUTH ulcers; SOCIAL contact; LOCAL government; PROVINCES; GUARDIAN &; ward; FILIPINOS
- Publication
Western Pacific Surveillance & Response Journal, 2023, Vol 14, Issue 2, p1
- ISSN
2094-7321
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.2.1001