Parents on ‘standby’ in case disease spreads to other classes

KUALA LUMPUR: The parents are cautious, but life goes on for students at Sekolah Rendah Taman Tun Dr Ismail 2 after one class was ordered to close due to an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).

Four Year Three boys were infected with HFMD at the school, confirmed Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Education Department officials.

Parents with children at that school are on “standby” in case the disease spreads.

“We are on standby in case there might be more infections, or if the school authorities have more announcements,” said Nariza Ghazali outside the school compound.

His son, also in Year 3, studied right next to the closed-off classroom.

Hamdan Mat Kamis said he had received notification of the closure via the local residents’ association WhatsApp group.

He said parents, who are free tomorrow, would come and help disinfect the class, although he was not sure if this covered the whole school, or just the affected classroom.

Anizan Shah Johan, 36, said teachers had already advised parents and students to watch out for HFMD symptoms.

“I advised my kids to keep their distance for now, especially if their friends have spots or rashes, or if their mouths are starting to show ulcers,” said Anizan, who has two daughters studying in Year 1 and Year 4.

“Teachers have also asked parents to keep their children who are feeling unwell at home to cut down the risk of contracting the disease, or spreading it,” she said.

The nearby Tadika Islam TTDI, which was also hit with an HFMD outbreak, was closed.

TTDI Residents Association (TTDIRA) deputy chairman Clinton Ang said it had already disseminated newslinks on the HFMD outbreak at the school, as well as sanitation advisories, to their various WhatsApp chatgroups.

“It’s not really buzzing, but people have taken notice. I’m personally quite surprised there are cases here and at how fast it’s spreading from one state to another, until one class has to be shut down.

“We’re not sure if there are more popping up,” Ang said.