425 cases of HFM disease recorded – Health Dept

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KOTA KINABALU: The state Health Department has recorded 425 cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth (HFM) disease in the past 14 weeks.

The department in a statement yesterday said there had been an increase of 112.5 per cent cases compared to week 13 which saw 32 cases reported.

There were 68 cases in week 14 and the incident rate was 13.3 per 100,000 population, the statement said, adding that the 425 cases were reported in 18 districts namely Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Keningau, Papar, Pitas, Tenom, Sipitang, Tambunan, Beaufort, Beluran, Semporna, Putatan, Keningau, Tawau, Kota Marudu, Kudat and Nabawan.

Those treated were children under 15 and the pathogen which had been identified was Coxsackie A16.

According to the state Health Department, although the situation in Sabah was under control, the relevant authorities had taken steps to ensure that the disease did not spread.

The breakdown of cases according to districts are Penampang 106 cases (23.5 per cent), Kota Kinabalu 71 cases (15.7 per cent), Tambunan 56 cases (12.4 per cent), Keningau 45 cases (10.0 per cent), Tuaran 38 cases (8.4 per cent), Tenom 30 cases (6.6 per cent), Putatan 26 cases (5.8 per cent), Beaufort 20 cases (4.4 per cent), Pitas 14 cases (3.1 per cent), Papar 11 cases (2.4 per cent), Kuala Penyu eight cases (1.8 per cent), Kudat six cases (1.3 per cent), Beluran five cases (1.1 per cent), Tawau five cases (1.1 per cent), Sipitang four cases (0.9 per cent), Semporna three cases (0.7 per cent), Kota Marudu three cases (0.7 per cent) and Nabawan, one case (0.2 per cent).

Ten HFM disease outbreaks were reported in Penampang, Pitas, Tenom, Sipitang, Tambunan, Beaufort, Beluran, Semporna, Keningau and Kota Marudu but no fatalities have been reported.

A total of 30 cases (6.6 per cent) were children under the age of one, 337 cases (74.6 per cent) between one and five, 56 cases (12.4 per cent) aged six and 15, five cases (1.1 per cent) involved 16 to 25-year-olds and 24 cases (5.3 per cent) were those between 26 and 55-years-old.

The patients received outpatient treatment at the hospitals in Likas, Papar, Beaufort, Kudat, Tawau, Tenom, Pitas and Sipitang, and their conditions are stable.

As a result of the outbreaks, a total of 13 nurseries and kindergartens as well as pre-schools have been closed under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988. Two of these premises closed down voluntarily.

Four were in Penampang, three in Tambunan, two in Tenom and one each in Pitas, Sipitang, Keningau and Kota Marudu.

The Health Department advises those who have symptoms of the HFM disease to immediately seek treatment at the hospital or nearest health clinic.

Maintaining good personal hygiene and frequent washing of hands are among the steps that can prevent infection.

Parents whose children are diagnosed with HFM disease must refrain from sending them to school until they recover.