HEALTHCARE professionals are calling on parents and caregivers across Malaysia to remain on heightened alert as Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases continue to spike—just as families begin to enjoy the mid-year school holidays.
The warning comes amid a significant nationwide increase in HFMD infections, prompting renewed public health concern and a plea for preventative vigilance from Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City (SMC).
Dr Ch’ng Tong Wei, Consultant in Paediatric Infectious Diseases at SMC, described the current scale of transmission as “alarming” and stressed the need for consistent hygiene practices and community awareness.
“As a paediatric infectious disease specialist, I have observed a rise in hospital referrals, concerned parental inquiries and requests for guidance from preschools and kindergartens on outbreak management,” Bernana quoted here saying in a statement issued today.
She noted that the recent uptick in cases across Selangor, Johor, Perak and several other states should serve as a clear signal for families to remain vigilant not only in clinical settings but throughout the wider community.
“We are monitoring the situation closely. Our paediatric teams, nurses and the infection control unit are working hand-in-hand to support parents and manage cases safely and efficiently,” she said.
Dr Ch’ng emphasised that early detection and timely consultation with healthcare professionals are crucial. “Together, we can protect our children and reduce transmission by adhering to the guidelines,” she said, urging parents to seek medical advice when symptoms appear.
HFMD, a highly contagious viral infection primarily affecting children under the age of five, typically manifests with fever, sore throat, loss of appetite, painful ulcers in the mouth, and rashes or blisters on the hands, feet, and sometimes the buttocks.
While most children recover within seven to ten days, Dr Ch’ng warned that complications, though rare, can occur—particularly in cases linked to the Enterovirus 71 (EV71) strain.
“The good news is that these complications remain very rare,” she said, adding that severe cases may lead to viral meningitis, encephalitis, or cardiopulmonary complications.
She advised parents to remain particularly watchful for signs of dehydration, persistent high fever (above 39°C for more than two days), lethargy, or unusual irritability. In such instances, she said, hospitalisation may be required for intravenous hydration, fever management, and neurological observation.
As there is currently no specific treatment for HFMD, Dr Ch’ng underscored the importance of comfort care and strict infection control.
“This is the most effective way to stop the virus from spreading,” she said, advising that infected children remain at home until all blisters have dried and they are fever-free for at least 24 hours.
Preventive measures include frequent handwashing with soap, especially after using the toilet and before meals, as well as regular disinfection of toys and surfaces with chlorine-based or antiviral cleaners. She also recommended temporarily avoiding crowded places such as playgrounds and childcare centres, and refraining from sharing utensils, towels or personal items.
For infected children, Dr Ch’ng suggested that parents offer soft foods, plenty of cool fluids and use paracetamol to ease fever or discomfort.
According to Malaysia’s Ministry of Health, HFMD cases have surged by 266 per cent year-on-year, reaching 99,601 cases as of the 17th epidemiological week in 2025, compared to just 27,236 cases during the same period in 2024. Despite the dramatic increase, no deaths have been reported.
Of the current total, 10,421 cases—or 10 per cent—were linked to localised outbreaks, while the remaining 90 per cent occurred sporadically.
Sunway Medical Centre, Malaysia’s largest private quaternary hospital, has played a pivotal role in managing paediatric health, with its Children’s Health and Development Centre offering 26 paediatric subspecialties—the most in any private hospital nationwide. The facility also houses Malaysia’s first dedicated Children’s Emergency Department in a private institution.
SMC has received wide recognition for its leadership in paediatric care, including being named Malaysia’s top paediatric hospital by Newsweek’s Best Specialised Hospitals Asia Pacific 2024.
The hospital has also been listed among the world’s top 250 hospitals by Newsweek for two consecutive years and has earned the title of Hospital of the Year (Malaysia) at the Healthcare Asia Awards for four years running. - June 5, 2025
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