KOTA KINABALU – Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) cases have surged 111% over a week, said Sabah Health Director Datuk Dr Rose Nani Mudin today.
She added that a total of 702 cases were detected between May 15 and May 21, a spike from 333 cases the week before.
“Overall, the number of HFMD cases in Sabah stand at 3,351 from January until May this year.
“This is the highest increase in cases compared to just 63 cases reported over the same period last year,” she said in a statement today.
Five districts reported the highest cases – Tawau (541 cases), Sandakan (451), Lahad Datu (325), Papar (309) and Kota Belud (269).
There are no reports of casualties, said Rose Nani, adding that 93.2% of the cases involve children under the age of six.
She added that the majority of the cases were detected in private homes and early learning centres, while studies done on the spread of HFMD in Vietnam and Bangladesh linked it to higher rainfall and humidity.
Meanwhile, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin said at an event here that the ministry is monitoring the infections and are working with the Health Ministry to curb the spread. – The Vibes, May 24, 2022
