Kota Kinabalu: Sabah has recorded 4,604 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) since the beginning of the year as of June 4, said State Health Director Datuk Dr Rose Nani Mudin (pic).
Of these, Rose Nani said 4,224 cases or 91 per cent involved children aged six years and below.
The five districts that reported the highest cumulative cases in the State were Tawau with 715 cases, Sandakan (615), Papar (470), Lahad Datu (428) and Kota Belud (399).
“So far, no death cases caused by HFMD have been reported in the State,” she said in a statement.
“The reported infections mostly occur in private homes or early education centres.”
Dr Rose said the HFMD epidemic in Sabah is still under control.
Based on the Department’s monitoring, the HFMD cases in Sabah are beginning to show a decrease in the 22nd epidemiological week (May 29-June 4) compared to the previous week.
“In the 22nd epidemiological week, the State reported a total of 528 cases of HFMD compared to 725 cases in the 21st epidemiological week. This is a decrease of 27.17 per cent,” said Dr Rose.
She also said town hall meetings with nurseries are still carried out from time to time.
“The State Health Department would like to remind that gatekeeping is implemented at the entrances of kindergartens or pre-schools and care and learning centres to detect children with symptoms of infectious diseases, including HFMD.
“The management of care centres should be alert and ensure that children who show symptoms such as fever, rash and diarrhoea, among others, are not allowed to enter the premises.
“They should also advise parents to send symptomatic children to health facilities for further examination and treatment and then isolate them.”
Dr Rose also reminded parents with small children not to take their children to high-risk places.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.