ARE YOUR HANDS CLEAN?: Pre-schoolers get their hands checked. (File Photo)
SIBU: The sharp increase in the number of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases in the first week of this month is a grave cause for concern, in that it has exceeded the epidemic level.
In this respect, there were 414 cases reported in Week 9. For comparison, the HFMD warning level for Sarawak begins at 246 cases, while the epidemic level is 365 cases.
State Health Department director Dr Jamilah Hashim said for the previous week, the number of HFMD cases was 373.
“This year to date, the total number of HFMD cases reported as of March 4 is 2,576 cases – of which 105 cases involved admission to hospitals. No death cases have been reported so far,” she said in a statement released yesterday.
Dr Jamilah also disclosed that throughout this period, four nursery centres and kindergartens in the state had been closed due to presence of HFMD.
“If preventive measures are not taken, there would be an increased risk of our children being down with HFMD. This, in turn, would affect the planned vacations during the long school holidays for the families,” she said.
On the breakdown of cumulative HFMD cases in Sarawak from Jan 1 to March 4 this year, Kuching Division recorded the highest number – 561 cases, followed by Samarahan Division (361), Miri Division (355), Sibu (352), Sri Aman (242), Bintulu (140), Limbang (135), Kapit (124), Betong (107), Mukah (101) and Sarikei (98).
In this regard, Dr Jamilah advised all parents to always maintain high standards of personal and environmental hygiene.
“They must ensure that their children frequently wash their hands with soap and water before meals and after going to the toilet. They (children) must cover their mouths and noses with tissues when coughing or sneezing, and dispose of the tissues into the rubbish bins immediately after use.
“Parents, to the best of their ability, should make sure that their children not share food and drinks, eating utensils, toothbrushes, toys or towels with other children,” she said, adding that the parents should also ensure that articles such as toys, appliances or surfaces that might have been contaminated by nasal or oral secretions would be cleaned and disinfected (with the recommended 0.5 per cent sodium hypochlorite solutions) before use.
She also reminded them to consult a doctor immediately in the event that their children had fever, mouth ulcers and rashes on their palms, on the soles of their feet or on the buttocks.
“Children with HFMD should remain at home until all the blisters have dried up. During this period, contact with other children including siblings should be avoided, until those affected by HFMD recover. The affected children must not be brought to any public or crowded place.
“For those in charge at schools and childcare centres, immediately refer to the hospital cases where any child exhibits or is suspected to have symptoms like seizures, weakness in the limbs, profound lethargy, refusal to play, poor feeding or refusal to eat.
“Principals, teachers and supervisors of these institutions and daycare centres should be on the alert to look out for children with fever, rashes/blisters on the palms of their hands and soles of their feet, and to isolate them immediately if they exhibit the symptoms.”
Dr Jamilah said screening before coming to class would be recommended, and ensuring that the infected children would remain away from the institution for at least 10 days following the onset of the symptoms.
She also pointed out that a high standard of food and personal hygiene including proper disposal of waste and soiled diapers must be maintained by the institutions involved.
“If closure is necessary, close only the affected class. Closure of the whole school is unnecessary as HFMD in older children is usually very mild and so far, no complication has been documented from this age group,” Dr Jamilah said.