Datuk Dr Jerip Susil
SIBU: The Health Department protocols for hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) has been triggered to prevent a major outbreak, following the number of cases exceeding warning levels in the state.
Assistant Minister for Public Health Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, who disclosed this yesterday, said Sarawak was experiencing the two-year cycle of HFMD.
“This is the two-year cycle, where the last one we had was at the end of 2013. Normally, every two years, we expect an increase (in HFMD cases).
“Now it is 2016, which is about time for the cycle to recur. We are putting all our systems in place and putting all our staff on alert, as well as ensuring that if there are any HFMD cases in kindergartens, to isolate them. If there is any outbreak, we will close it down,” Jerip told The Borneo Post.
“The usual protocol is already being triggered to make sure that we don’t have a major outbreak.” He was responding to queries on the measures taken following HFMD cases exceeding warning levels.
The state Health Department had reported a sharp increase of HFMD cases from June 26 to July 2, with 303 cases reported compared to 186 the week before.
This brings the total number of cases for the year so far to 1,846, whereby 133 cases or 7.2 per cent of patients were admitted to the hospital. The warning level for the state is 147 cases per week, while 365 cases or more reported in a week would be considered an epidemic.
Asked if the mass movement of people during the recent festival season was the major factor for the sharp rise of HFMD cases, Dr Jerip said he believed the main contributing factor was the two-year cycle.
“Everyone is being notified now. Whenever there is HFMD cases of course, notification must be there. If there are any cases occurring in places such as preschools, kindergartens or even primary schools, we will bring in our staff to carry out the necessary actions. Those who have HFMD will be isolated; if more than five cases are detected, we will allow the school to be closed for a week. That is the usual protocol that we have,” he said, adding that no preschools or kindergartens had been closed so far due to the disease.
Jerip emphasised that they wanted parents and teachers to take precautions, such as isolating children with HFMD from the public and not bringing them out to public places.
Instead, they should be kept at home and the child brought to see a doctor, he advised. He added it was important to ensure that the child drink enough water. He also reminded parents to maintain the cleanliness of their houses and to practise personal hygiene such as washing hands with soap and clean water after using the toilet, before preparing food and after changing children’s nappies in order to prevent transmission of the disease.
According to information on the Health Department’s website, symptoms of HFMD are fever, sores or ulcers in the mouth and rashes with blisters. Blisters may appear in the mouth, and on palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Rashes may also appear on buttocks and on the legs and arms. Mouth ulcers usually appear on the tongue, the sides of the cheeks, gums or near the throat.
The usual period from infection to onset of symptoms (the incubation period) is three to seven days. Fever is often the first symptom of HFMD followed by blisters or rashes.
Parents are advised to bring children who are feeling unwell to the nearest clinic for diagnosis and treatment.