Two Penang schools totally closed due to HFMD

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Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Shih Chung is closed after some pupils are infected with HFMD. — Bernama photo

GEORGE TOWN: The Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) has forced the total closure of two schools – Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Shih Chung (Cawangan) and Sekolah Antarabangsa Tenby – here for 10 days.

Penang Director of Health Dr Wan Mansor Hamzah said six Year One to Three classes at SJKC Phor Tay were also ordered to close after the pupils were found to be suffering from the disease.

“Previously, only one class at Sekolah Antarabangsa Tenby and SJKC Phor Tay had been ordered to close but, following a check by the State Department of Health, we decided to totally close the international school and the six classes at SJKC Phor Tay since yesterday (Tuesday).

“SJKC Shih Chung was ordered to close yesterday.

“SJKC Chung San and SJKC Sum Sun are being monitored before any decision to close is taken,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.

Dr Wan Mansor said that 18 facilities involving 13 nurseries, a kindergarten, a care centre and three schools had been ordered to close for 10 days for a clean-up process.

A total of 1,679 cases of HFMD were reported in the state from January.

Dr Wan Mansor said that since last week, health office workers had conducted checks at 622 of the 855 pre-schools, nurseries and kindergartens to ensure that the pupils were free of the disease.

If any case was detected, they were requested to seek immediate treatment.

“The number of pupils under treatment in hospitald remained at three, two of them at the Penang Hospital and one at the Seberang Jaya Hospital.

“They are in stable condition but remain warded for monitoring,” he said. — Bernama