Manila, July 17 -- The Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO) has assured Negrenses that cases of hand, food, and mouth disease (HFMD) in the province are manageable despite rising cases among young children.

In an interview on Thursday, Dr. Ma. Girlie Pinongan, provincial health officer, said since the cases reported are mostly among schoolchildren, they should be encouraged to do frequent handwashing to prevent transmission.

"We have an increase in reported cases. We still have cases, but these are manageable," Pinongan said.

The latest PHO surveillance update showed that from Jan. 1 to July 12, Negros Occidental recorded 1,111 cases, which is 346.11 percent higher compared to only 249 cases during the same period in 2024....