KUCHING: Sarawak reported 4,874 cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) up to April 15 this year, with Kuching recording the highest number at 1,147 cases.
The state Health Department said out of 4,874 cases reported this year, 178 cases were admitted to hospital, with no death cases reported thus far.
Kuching comprised 23.53 per cent of the HFMD cases in the state, followed by Miri with 537 cases (11 per cent), Sibu with 522 cases (10.71 per cent), Serian with 451 cases (9.25 per cent), Sri Aman with 331 cases (6.79 per cent), Bintulu with 250 cases (5.13 per cent), Bau with 215 cases (4.4 per cent), Betong with 192 cases (3.94 per cent), Limbang with 138 cases (2.83 per cent), Sarikei with 101 cases (2.07 per cent), Simunjan with 91 cases (1.87 per cent), Samarahan with 87 cases (1.78 per cent), Belaga with 81 cases (1.66 per cent), Marudi with 80 cases (1.64 per cent), Mukah with 77 cases (1.58 per cent), Kanowit with 63 cases (1.29 per cent), Lubok Antu with 60 cases (1.23 per cent), Kapit with 52 cases(1.07 per cent) while other districts have less than 50 cases.
The state Health Department said in the epidemiology week (EW) 15/2017 (from April 9 to 15), the number of HFMD cases reported in the state was 258 cases, a 17 per cent decrease over the 311 cases reported in the previous week.
“A downward trend was seen since EW 13/2017 with 312 cases, below the epidemic threshold (epidemic level) of five year cases (365 cases),” it said in a statement yesterday.
The department said 407 HFMD clusters were reported in Sarawak up to EW 15/2017, involving 970 cases.
“Out of the total clusters reported, 359 clusters (88.2 per cent) were family cluster, 30 (7.4 per cent) were pre-school clusters, 17 (4.2 per cent) were childcare clusters and one primary school cluster (0.2 per cent).”
The statement added from Jan 1 till April 15, 26 nurseries and kindergartens were closed in the state due to HFMD, of which nine were in Kuching District, eight in Miri, three in Serian, two in Samarahan and one each in Simunjan, Sri Aman, Mukah and Bintulu districts.
“Out of the 26 institutional closures, 14 were closed under Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, while 12 were closed voluntarily.”
In view of this, the state Health Department emphasised the importance of maintaining high standards of personal and environmental hygiene to minimise the risk of HFMD at all times.
“Parents should ensure that their children adopt the following good hygiene practices; namely frequently washing hands with soap and water such as before eating and after going to the toilet; covering mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing, and throwing the tissue away into a bin immediately; and not to share food/drinks, eating utensils, toothbrushes, toys or towels with others.
“They should also practise hand hygiene and to ensure that articles such as toys, appliances or surfaces that are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions are cleaned and disinfected before they are being used again.”
The department also advised parents to consult a doctor early if their child has fever, mouth ulcers and rashes on the palms, soles or buttocks.
“Children with HFMD should remain at home until all the blisters have dried up. During this period, contact with other children – including sibling should be avoided until the child recovers. The affected child should not be brought to any public or crowded places.”
It also encouraged parents to inform the nearest district health office if their children especially preschoolers were infected with HFMD.
They can also inform the state Health Department via its Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) by calling the hotline at 082-443248 or 082-441780 or email to [email protected].
The CPRC operates from 8am to 5pm (Mondays to Fridays) and from 9am to 3pm (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays).