SIBU: Sarawak recorded over 8,000 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) over the past 10 months. State health director Datu Dr Zulkifli Jantan said the figure is expected to increase due to the long year-end school holiday.
“But the public need not be unduly alarmed as the situation in the state is well under control,” he said yesterday.
Statistics (Epidemiology Week 42) from the Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) of the Health Department’s Communicable Disease Control Section showed cumulative cases for Sarawak stood at 8,258.
Most cases were recorded in Kuching Division (2,266); followed by Miri (1,829); Sibu (1,398); Samarahan (752); Bintulu (434); Betong (381); Sarikei (345); Mukah (307); Limbang (214), Sri Aman (212) and Kapit (120).
Dr Zulkifli said more cases were recorded in bigger towns and cities due to the higher population and movement of people. He reminded parents to avoid bringing their young children to crowded places.
“As a preventive measure, they should refrain from bringing their small children to public places such as shopping complexes, swimming pools and playgrounds,” he added, reiterating the importance of good hygiene and cleanliness.
He also stressed the importance of regular hand-washing with soap or hand sanitiser after visiting toilets, coughing or sneezing and before meals as well as food preparation.
“There shall be strictly no sharing of personal items such as handkerchiefs, towels and spoons among others,” he said.