Hand, foot and mouth disease spreading to more areas

KUALA LUMPUR: Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said parents must act as “gatekeepers” by ensuring that children showing symptoms of the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) were quarantined and not sent to school.

“The number of HFMD cases that is spreading is scary but we can curb this problem through gate-keeping at the entry points of the schools,” he said.

“The outbreak, that was previously reported among schoolchildren in Penang, Kedah and Pahang, had started to spread to Kuala Lumpur.”

Meanwhile, a class at SK Taman Tun Dr Ismail (2) here with 36 pupils was yesterday ordered to close for 10 days after four boys were found to be infected.

An Education Department official confirmed the HFMD cases involving Year Three pupils.

“According to a notice issued by the Kepong District Health Department, only the classroom involved was closed to allow cleaning and disinfecting works to be carried out besides ensuring that other students are not infected.”

However, school activities were allowed to continue as usual, Bernama reported.

On Wednesday, Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said there was an increase of HFMD cases, with 35,886 cases reported from Jan 1 until July 23.

HFMD spreads by contact with nasal discharge, saliva and faeces, and fluids from the blisters of an infected person.

A person infected with HFMD is most contagious during the duration of the illness, with no known treatment available besides relief of symptoms such as fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers, rashes or lethargy.

In JOHOR, 2,215 cases were reported between January and July 21. The state recorded 1,607 cases in the same period last year.

Johor Health, Environment and Agriculture Committee chairman Dr Sahruddin Jamal said that no casualties have been reported.

He said 320 cases were reported at nurseries, kindergartens and preschools, and urged operators of such facilities to close temporarily for cleaning and disinfection.