Davao — The Davao City Health Office (CHO) has shared encouraging news regarding public health, reporting a significant decrease in the number of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases this year. According to the latest data, infections have dropped substantially, plunging from 215 cases during the first half of 2025 to just 74 cases recorded within the same period in 2026. This downward trend reflects the effectiveness of ongoing community awareness campaigns and the city’s proactive stance in promoting hygiene and child health.
A Multilayered Strategy for Prevention
Dr. Joy Lariosa–Espina, the Children's Health Medical Coordinator for the CHO, credits this decline to a comprehensive health strategy that emphasizes immunization, proper nutrition, and rigorous hygiene practices. The CHO has been working closely with daycare centers and local schools to ensure that both educators and parents are well-informed about the early symptoms of HFMD, such as fever, mouth sores, and skin blisters on the hands, feet, and buttocks. Parents are strongly encouraged to maintain complete basic immunization schedules for children before they turn 13 months old and to ensure their children consume balanced, nutritious meals to bolster their natural resistance to viral infections.
The Power of Daily Habits
While immunization and nutrition are foundational, Dr. Lariosa–Espina emphasized that consistent, proper handwashing remains one of the simplest yet most effective defenses against the spread of the virus. Families are urged to make handwashing a daily habit, teaching children the correct techniques to eliminate germs before they have a chance to enter the home. Though HFMD is generally not a fatal illness, the virus remains highly contagious; therefore, the health office advises that any child showing symptoms should be isolated at home for seven to ten days. This precautionary period is vital, as adults can occasionally act as asymptomatic carriers, potentially transmitting the virus to more vulnerable children without even realizing it.
Community Vigilance and Response
The city's success in curbing the transmission of HFMD is part of a broader commitment to monitoring and early detection. The CHO continues to coordinate with various community sectors to provide medical guidance, urging parents to seek immediate consultation at their nearest district health office if they observe signs of the infection in their children. By maintaining these high standards of sanitation and vigilance, Davao City is creating a safer environment for its youngest residents. Health authorities remain committed to these interventions, ensuring that even as the caseload drops, the city remains prepared to manage and contain any future resurgence of the disease through community-wide support and education.
