KOTA KINABALU – Sabah has recorded a surge of 2,834 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) between January and May 16, compared with only 55 cases over the same period last year.
Sabah Health Director Datuk Dr Rose Nani Mudin said the five districts with the highest number of cases were Tawau (308), followed by Sandakan (387), Lahad Datu (308), Kota Belud (244) and Papar (229).
“There are no casualties reported so far. But children under the age of six are the most infected by HFMD, with 93.1%, while the majority of transmission occurs at home and early learning centres,” she said in a statement here today.
HFMD usually infects children under the age of 10 where blisters with pus start showing on the hand, foot and mouth, which are caused by the enterovirus.
According to Rose Nani, the Health Department has initiated an investigation into the cause of the HFMD surge, with health campaigns and premises inspections, especially at early learning centres.
“Premises have also been ordered under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 to allow operators to carry out sanitation work.
“Talks have also been done with early learning centre operators to encourage the use of clean water among the communities.” – The Vibes, May 19, 2022
