2nd case of EV-71 reported

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A 5-year-old boy was afflicted with EV-71 but has now fully recovered, says the health department

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health has confirmed the second case of Enterovirus-71 in the country involving a 5-year-old boy from Benguet, but said he has already recovered from the illness.

Health Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag said the boy was brought to a hospital but was sent home. “It is very mild and the boy recuperated well.”

Tayag said the boy was one of the 43 suspected hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases as of July 21. Of these, at least 21 were found positive for human enterovirus. Only 2, however, tested positive for EV-71.

Some HFMD cases, notably in Cambodia, were caused by a fatal strain of EV-71, but this has not been seen in the Philippines. The EV-71 strain in Cambodia caused the death of at least 50 children, triggering a health alarm in the region.

Most of the Filipinos afflicted with HFMD are from Southern Luzon and Davao.

“We don’t know why cases were from Southern Luzon and Davao. We are investigating. But maybe because the people there were reporting regularly,” he said at a health forum Tuesday, July 31.

The first case of EV-71 in the country was a 19-month-old boy from Davao who also recovered easily.

“Now we have positive cases from Davao and Benguet so we can presume that it can happen anywhere ….. We urge the public to be serious in observing personal hygiene such as washing hands,” he said. – Rappler.com

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