HFMD cases expected to rise during CNY

KUCHING: Hand, foot and mouth disease ( HFMD) cases in Sarawak are expected to rise over the Chinese New Year ( CNY) period if preventive measures are not taken.

In a press statement yesterday, state health director Dr Jamilah Hashim said HFMD cases reported in the state rose sharply during the first two weeks of the year.

“If preventive measures are not taken early, there will be an increased risk of our children being ill with HFMD. This in turn will affect the Chinese New Year celebration for the family,” she said.

She urged the public to take preventive measures seriously, as infection could spread rapidly through close contact as well mass congregation and movements of people, especially during and immediately after the Chinese New Year holidays.

As of Jan 14, there were 355 HFMD cases reported, out of which 27 cases or 7.6 per cent required hospital admission due to poor feeding and high grade fever.

“There was a sharp rise of cases recorded from the last

If preventive measures are not taken early, there will be an increased risk of our children being ill with HFMD. This in turn will affect the Chinese New Year celebration for the family. Dr Jamilah Hashim, state health director

week of 2016 and Sarawak continues to see an upward trend into the first two weeks 2017. One hundred and forty-six cases were reported in the first week of this year and the figure jumped to 209 cases in the second week,” she said.

Dr Jamilah stressed the importance of maintaining a high standard of personal and environmental hygiene at schools and childcare centres to minimise the risk of HFMD at all times.

“Parents should ensure that their children adopt good hygiene practices such as washing their hands with soap and water before eating and after going to toilet,” she advised.

“Also, cover their mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing, and throw away the tissue into a bin immediately.”

Children should also avoid sharing food and drinks, eating utensils, toothbrushes, toys or towels with others.

“Parents should practice good hand hygiene and ensure that items such as toys, appliances or surfaces contaminated by nasal or oral secretions are cleaned and disinfected before being used again,” she said.

Symptoms of HFMD which parents should observe include fever, mouth ulcers and rashes on the palms, soles or buttocks.

“Consult a doctor immediately when parents see these symptoms on their children. Children with HFMD should remain at home until all the blisters have dried up,” she said.

“During this period, contact with other children including siblings should be avoided until the child recovers. The child should not be brought to any public or crowded places.”