Philippine gov't confirms infant infected with Enterovirus-71

The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) confirmed on Friday a case of a one-year-and-seven-month-old boy infected with Enterovirus-71 (EV-71), an illness that killed at least 52 children in Cambodia.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona said the infant, who came from the southern city of Davao, was one of the eight suspected hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases reported to the DOH. HFMD is also caused by Enterovirus, including EV-71.

But the health chief said the boy survived from the illness.

"The boy developed fever and rashes on his hands, soles of feet, mouth, and buttocks last July 6. The boy had no history of travel outside the country. A consultation was sought at a local health facility. He was sent home and has since recovered very well. No other cases were reported in their household nor in the community, " Ona said.

He said that of the eight suspected HFMD cases, six tested positive for the screening test. After the confirmatory test, all but one was negative for EV-71. These will be further tested for Coxsackie A16, which is also associated with HFMD.

Ona reminded the public to be vigilant to prevent any illness.

"Prevention relies on individual personal hygiene and hand washing; shared toys or teaching tools in daycare should be cleaned, washed and disinfected as they easily become contaminated, " he said.