The regional office of the Department of Education (DepEd 11) is calling on parents to coordinate with schools amid threats of the spread of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD).
The reminder came as students return to school on Monday for the new academic year.
Jenielito “Dodong” Atillo, spokesperson of DepEd 11, issued the call on Friday over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR), following the report of HFMD cases that hit 24 students of two public schools in Davao Region, particularly in Davao City and Davao de Oro.
“Importante ang close coordination with the school through the teacher adviser of your children kinahanglan makipag coordinate and teachers will automatically do that pero naa ta’y mga concerns atoang hud-ong nga ang mga ginikanan usahay dili ma connect nato, it takes two to tango, maningkaot ning eskwelahan pinaagi sa mga magtutudlo nga makapadangat ug information ug importante pud nga ang atong mga ginikanan maningkamot to seek information sa atoang mga magtutudlo. I do not find it very huge task for the parents na makipag coordinate. Mao na ang atoang panawagan sa mga ginikanan nga makig-istorya gyud sa mga magtutudlo sa inyuhang mga anak para mahibaw-an kung unsay sitwasyon ug condition ug unsay announcement na ipadangat dinha sa inyuhang bahin,” Atillo said.
Atillo reported that cases of HFMD in the Davao Region are declining and that the weeklong school break has helped in preventing the spread of the disease.
He said that based on the latest information he received, from the 24 cases only eight children are currently undergoing isolation and treatment in their respective homes while the rest have already recovered.
“Walay report nga naay severe. Kining walo most likely nangaayo na ni sila karon. I would like to surmise that kining walo man gud sa nilabay nga mga adlaw there is a great probability nga aduna nay recoveries niini and hopefully kining walo nangaayo na,” he said.
Atillo said DepEd 11 is urging the parents to check their children’s health status regularly and if there are symptoms of HFMD the parents should immediately inform the children’s teachers for immediate action.
He also said DepEd 11 has close coordination with the Department of Health 11 (DOH 11), barangay health workers, and municipal and provincial health centers concerning HFMD.
Atillo also reported that none of the teaching and non-teaching personnel were affected by HFMD.
“Walay puas ang pagbantay nato ani ug gilauman nato nga ang report nga gipahiluna karon na sporting activities diri sa Davao City nga Davao City Athletic Association (DCAA) meet wala man pud nagbutyag nga dunay HFMD situation karon dinha ug wala pud tay reported cases of HFMD sa mga atleta,” he said.
