The Department of Health (DOH) reported 37,368 cases of the contagious viral illness as of August 9 this year.

In a bulletin issued, DOH said cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in the Philippines have increased seven-fold so far in 2025 compared to year-ago figures, with health authorities logging more than 37,000 infections and counting.

Half of the recorded cases were young children aged one to three years old.

Last year’s count during the same period was 5,081—drastically lower compared to the current tally.

The number of cases has continued to spike sharply this year. From January 1 to February 22 alone, the DOH already found 7,598 HFMD cases—nearly three times more than the cases durig the same period in 2024.

HFMD is a contagious disease that can be acquired by touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with hands that have contacted objects contaminated with the virus.

Its symptoms include fever, mouth sores, sore throat, and rashes on the palms and soles of the hands.

The DOH advises that should a child develop these symptoms, they should stay at home for seven to 10 days or until the fever subsides and the sores are dry.

The agency reminded families to separate the cutleries and personal belongings of a person sick with HFMD, and clean the area where they stayed with disinfectant.