HFMD CLAIMS FIRST VICTIM
2-year-old boy died of disease and pneumonia, says Health D-G
THE hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is believed to have claimed its first victim, a 2-year-old boy. Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the boy died of severe pneumonia and HFMD.
He said a clinical sample was taken to determine the true cause of death, adding that the boy was pronounced dead at 2.08am yesterday.
The boy’s mother, Mastura Ali, 33, said her son, Farhan Lukman Abdullah, contracted HFMD on Tuesday.
She said the youngest of three siblings was first brought to the Daro Health Clinic on Wednesday, where he was diagnosed with suspected HFMD and treated for it.
She was then advised to take her son home and seek further treatment should his condition worsen.
On Friday night, Farhan was taken to Daro Hospital and later transferred to Sibu Hospital.
“He was an active child and always played with his sister. He was close to my nephews and nieces.
“Then, he contracted HFMD and became weak and lethargic. He lost his appetite. At night, especially, he would cry and could not sleep,” Mastura said.
A close relative, who declined to be named, said Farhan’s death was a huge loss to the family.
“I can picture his happy face while playing with my child. Now, he has left us forever.
“But though we feel the loss, we accept it as God’s will,” said the relative.
Farhan’s remains were brought to Kampung Pangtray in Daro and buried at the Kampung Lemang Pek Muslim cemetery at 2.30pm yesterday.