Drop in new HFMD cases nationwide

Ministry: Spread of disease under control but we must still take precautions

KUALA LUMPUR:

The number of new hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in the country has dropped.

Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching said there has been a 23% reduction in new cases since last week.

“Although there are still new cases being reported, overall we can see there has been a reduction in the number of new cases,” she told reporters after launching the Prevention of HFMD Campaign at SK Taman Tun Dr Ismail 2 yesterday.

“Personally, I think this means that the spread of HFMD is under control but we must still take precautions to ensure the number of students infected by HFMD continues to drop,” she said.

“As of Aug 15, a total of 3,502 stu- dents from 1,288 schools (under the Education Ministry) have been infected with HFMD,” she said.

She added that 277 classes including five schools have been closed under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Disease Act 1988 (Act 342) due to the outbreak this year.

“Five schools have been closed because of HFMD as of today but all these schools have resumed operations,” she said.

She explained that when a class has two students infected with HFMD, the class will be closed for 10 days and not the whole school.

“Among steps taken by the Government include ensuring that only students who have not contracted the HFMD virus are allowed to enter the school premises, and those who have contracted the virus are quarantined,” said Teo.

She reminded the public to practise good personal hygiene to halt the spread of the virus.

“In addition, parents or guardians should ensure that children with HFMD symptoms are treated immediately and not to bring them to public places, including schools and childcare centres,” she said.

On another matter, Teo said that SMJK Chung Hwa in Shah Alam was closed today due to an ammonia leak from a nearby ice factory.

Six pupils were sent to the hospital yesterday morning after they experiencing nausea.