HFMD: Be extra careful during school holidays, parents reminded
SIBU: SarawakHealthDepartment is reminding the public to take necessary measures against the Hand, Food and Mouth Disease ( HFMD) in view of the coming school holidays.
In this regard, Sarawak Health director Dr Jamilah Hashim said there would surely be mass movements of people as they go off for holidays or visit relatives with their children.
“There will be close contacts (between people) during the school holidays,” she told reporters after the launch of ‘ GotongRoyong Mega Sarawak 2.0’ at Farley Commercial Centre here yesterday, where Sarawak Federal Secretary Datuk Mansor Man officiated at the ceremony.
In this respect, Dr Jamilah reiterated the department’s advice for parents and their children to practise good personal hygiene.
“It is most important for parents to wash their hands regularly; for instance, after coming home from work, or before touching or hugging their young children.
“This is important to curb the virus that causes HFMD,” she said.
Dr Jamilah also reminded parents to have their children undergo immediate medical attention should they exhibit symptoms of HFMD.
“Do not bring young children to crowded places. If they are feeling unwell, seek immediate medical attention and do not bring them to public places,” she stressed.
On the present HFMD situation in Sarawak, Dr Jamilah said it registered a downward trend.
However, she also pointed out that the cumulative cases reported this year to date, had exceeded the total for the whole of last year.
“But the trend has come down; we hope that it would not go up during the school holidays,” Dr Jamilah said.