KUCHING: The spike in hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in the state, which has exceeded warning levels, should serve as a reminder for parents and caretakers at childcare centres to be extra vigilant in their precautionary measures.
Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah advised parents to constantly check for symptoms of HFMD on their children.
Parents must watch out for signs of a fever, mouth ulcers or rashes on the children’s palm or soles of their feet. If such symptoms exist, they are required to immediately consult a doctor.
Fatimah, who holds a watching brief over education matters in the state, extended her advice to administrators, teachers and caretakers at pre-schools, kindergartens and childcare centres.
“We must double our efforts and take stringent steps to prevent the spread of HFMD. After all, prevention is better than cure. During the school holidays, parents are the frontliners at home to ensure that precautionary measures are properly carried out. All of us must be very vigilant to the signs and symptoms of HFMD,” she told reporters when met at the Hari Raya Open House of the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud at the Astana here on Wednesday.
The state Health Department reported a sharp increase of HFMD cases from June 26 to July 2, with 303 cases reported compared to 186 the week before. This brought the total number of cases for the year to 1,846, whereby 133 cases or seven per cent of the patients were admitted to the hospital. The warning level for the state is 147 cases per week, while 365 cases or more (in a week) would be considered an epidemic.