Dr Jamilah Hashim
KUCHING: Some 7,023 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) have been reported in Sarawak between Jan 1 and Sept 1 this year, says Sarawak Health director Dr Jamilah Hashim.
The figure is slightly higher that the 6,859 cases recorded last year.
“However, if we look at the statistics from a weekly basis, the number of cases has actually dropped.
“There were over 600 or 800 cases reported every week several months ago, now the number (of weekly cases) is getting less.
“For example, from Aug 19 to 25 there were 255 cases reported in Sarawak. The number went down to 196 cases between Aug 26 and Sept 1,” she told reporters after officiating at the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Care seminar here yesterday.
Dr Jamilah said Sarawakians were already quite familiar with HFMD, which is endemic in Sarawak.
She said the medical staff and staff of children care centres in Sarawak were also quite used to preventive measures to restrain HFMD at their respective centre.
“Generally, the kindergarten teachers and staff already know what to do to prevent contamination; by making sure everything is clean at the centres.
“Another good thing about child care centres in Sarawak is that the staff would wait at the gate every morning to check the children’s hands, feet and mouths for HMFD symptoms before they enter the premises.
“If the children show symptoms, parents would be contacted to bring them home,” she said.