MELAKA – A total of 12 childcare premises were closed after Melaka recorded 1,378 cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) as of May 14.
State Health and Anti-Drugs Committee chairman Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said the increase in HFMD cases was reported after the Aidilfitri holidays, due to travel movement and the reopening of childcare and kindergarten centres.
“There was an increase of 1,322 cases or 24.6 times the number in the corresponding period last year, which was 56 cases. 95.5% of the cases involved children under 6 years,” he said in a statement today.
He said eight HFMD cases required admission during the 19th epidemiological week (ME19) which was from May 8 to 14, an increase of six cases compared with the previous week.
“Overall, the total number of admissions to paediatric or medical wards was 67 cases and the majority of cases (91.4%) were treated as outpatients. No deaths have been reported so far,” he said.
He said the Melaka Tengah district recorded 124 cases, an increase of 69 cases (125.4%) from the previous week, while Alor Gajah and Jasin reported 162 cases and 115 cases respectively,
Three HFMD clusters were reported as of May 14, making a total of 16 clusters, with Jasin district recording the highest number with 11 (68.8%) followed by four in Melaka Tengah (25%) and Alor Gajah one (6.2%).
“Kindergartens, nurseries, and childcare centres reported the highest number of infections with 12 active clusters (75%),” he said.
To curb the spread of HFMD, inspections and monitoring are being conducted by the state Health Department and district health office at premises at risk.
He said to date, 30 premises have been inspected and four town hall sessions will be held to brief teachers and operators of government and private childcare centres on the issue at hand. – Bernama, May 18, 2022
