PUTRAJAYA – The number of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in the country exceeded the national alert level of 1,150 cases per week during epidemiological week (EW) 19 from May 7 to 13.
Health Director-General Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said Selangor contributed the highest number of cases at 2,443, or 24.9% of the total number of cases until May 13, followed by Sabah with 1,505 cases, the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya with 977, Johor with 915, and Sarawak with 750, while other states reported around or less than 700 cases.
He said there were 9,822 cases reported up to EW19 this year, and although it was lower compared to the 31,622 cases reported for the same period in 2022, there was an increase detected starting in EW18 from April 30 to May 6, which exceeded the national average level of 722 cases per week.
“Based on enterovirus surveillance this year, the two main viruses that cause HFMD were detected among the sampled cases, namely Coxsackie A6 (CA6) and Coxsackie A16 (CA16). No HFMD cases were reported to be treated in the intensive care unit and there were no HFMD deaths,” he said in a statement here today.
Dr Radzi said HFMD cases mostly occurred among children aged six and below, which made up 8,587 or 87.4% of cases.
“Institutions where children gather are among the places where HFMD transmission often occurs, and sometimes, HFMD clusters can occur. This is especially if the environment is not kept clean and infected children go to the institution,” he said.
He said a total of 273 clusters were reported this year until May 13, where there were 170 clusters with 675 cases reported in nurseries, kindergartens, preschools, and day-care centres, while 101 clusters occurred in private homes and two in schools.
Following the increase in cases, Dr Radzi said the Health Ministry advises the public to take preventive measures to control the spread.
For a start, parents or guardians of children who have signs of HFMD infection should not take their children to public places, schools, nurseries, kindergartens, and childcare centres because they can spread the illness.
In addition, get into the habit of washing hands with soap and clean water after going to the toilet, after changing diapers, and after touching or treating blisters; clean children’s toys and the floor of the house, including the toilet, using a chlorine mixture solution; and ensure that disposable diapers are discarded properly.
Employers and caretakers at nurseries, kindergartens, and childcare centres must always ensure the cleanliness of the premises, including the equipment and utensils used by children, as well as conduct screening at the entrance, or gatekeeping, to ensure that children have no signs of HFMD infection.
Indoor playground operators and the Malaysia Shopping Malls Association are also advised to conduct screening at the entrances to indoor playgrounds, as well as to clean the premises and disinfect equipment at least twice a day. – Bernama, May 20, 2023
