MANILA, March 1 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' Department of Health said on Saturday it has tallied 7,598 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) from January to Feb. 22 this year, three times higher than the same period last year.

Over 50 percent of the cases were detected in the Philippine capital and three other regions on the main Luzon Island.

The agency said 4,225 cases were detected in children aged four and younger, while 2,069 cases were detected in children aged five and nine.

"HFMD is rarely fatal but highly contagious," said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, urging Filipinos to wash hands with soap and water and avoid the crowd if experiencing symptoms.

The World Health Organization said HFMD is a common infectious disease that occurs most often in children but can also occur in adolescents and occasionally in adults.

In most cases, the disease is mild and self-limiting, with common symptoms including fever, painful sores in the mouth, and a rash with blisters on hands, feet and buttocks.

However, more severe symptoms such as meningitis, encephalitis and polio-like paralysis may occur. Enditem

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