ZAMBOANGA CITY — Health authorities have declared Zamboanga City temporarily free from the threat of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), following a recorded 210 cases from January 1 to April 5, 2025.
City Health Office (CHO) medical officer Dr. Anne Credo made the announcement during the second quarter meeting of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) on April 10, chaired by Mayor John Dalipe.
Credo reported that the viral illness had spread across 15 barangays, with Barangay Putik topping the list with 41 cases, mostly involving children aged 10 years and below. Other affected areas included Baluno (30 cases), Tetuan (24), Mampang (16), Lamisahan and Guiwan (14 each), Tugbungan (13), Pasonanca (7), Canelar, Mercedes, and Sinunuc (5 each), Campo Islam (3), Lumbangan (2), and Dulian (Upper Bunguiao) and Sinubong with one case each.
According to Dr. Credo, most patients experienced fever, rashes, sore throat, cough, loss of appetite, vomiting, and body malaise. The suspected exposure sites were primarily schools (43%), followed by community settings (29%), homes (28%), and daycare centers (1%).
While HFMD cases appear to be under control, dengue remains a pressing concern. The CHO reported 580 dengue cases during the same period, spanning nearly all of Zamboanga’s 98 barangays. Barangay Tetuan recorded the highest number at 25 cases, followed closely by Kasanyangan (24), Talon-Talon and Mercedes (23 each), Putik (21), Baliwasan and San Roque (19 each), Ayala (18), Mampang and Tumaga (17 each), Sta. Barbara (16), and both Labuan and Rio Hondo with 15 cases each.
The dengue outbreak has claimed two lives — a three-year-old boy from Tictabon Island and a 40-year-old woman from La Paz.
Additionally, animal bites continue to be a public health challenge in the city. The CHO logged 6,054 cases of animal bites from January to early April, with victims receiving post-exposure treatments. Unfortunately, four rabies-related deaths were reported, including a two-year-old boy from Mercedes and three adult males from Sta. Barbara, Tugbungan, and San Roque.
City officials urged the public to remain vigilant, practice proper hygiene, eliminate mosquito breeding sites, and ensure pets are vaccinated to prevent further outbreaks.