Friday May 2, 2008 MYT 6:06:33 PM
Practise good hygiene to keep foot and mouth disease at bay
By SHARON LING
KUCHING: Sarawak is stepping up prevention and control measures for hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) following recent outbreaks in Singapore and China.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the state health department's routine HFMD surveillance showed that 1,729 cases of the disease had been reported as of April 26 this year, including three small, localised outbreaks.
The first occurred at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) on March 10-25 involving 48 adults, the second in Kampung Pichin, Serian (April 4-22) involving 24 children and the last at Al Hidayah Abim Nursery in Sarikei (April 9-24) involving 10 children.
Dr Chan said none of the cases involved Enterovirus 71 (EV71), which potentially causes a more severe form of the disease.
"The outbreaks were mild and no one was hospitalised. All the outbreaks have now been controlled.
"However, because of the increased number of cases in Singapore including a few with EV71, and also in Anhui, China, where there have been 20 deaths, this is a good time to warn the public, especially those looking after young children, to make sure they follow hygienic practices," he told a press conference at his office here on Friday.
He said parents with young children and operators of childcare centres should take preventive measures such as practising good hygiene at all times.
He also advised childcare centre operators to make sure their premises were clean and to screen children for symptoms of HFMD.
In addition, parents of young children should take the necessary precautions, such as washing their hands before eating and after going to the toilet, covering their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing and ensuring cleanliness in their homes, including their children's toys.
Sarawak last experienced a major outbreak of HFMD in 2006, when more than 14,000 cases and 13 deaths were reported.
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