JOHOR BARU: Johor witnessed an increase of 44.7% in hand, foot and mouth disease (HMFD) cases in epidemiological week 27 (ME27) this year, says state health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon.
He said Johor Baru district has the highest number of cases in the state with 1,237, followed by Tangkak (365) and Kota Tinggi (339).
Ling said Kluang has 329 cases, Batu Pahat (317), Kulai (202), Segamat (200), Muar (178), Pontian with 159 and Mersing with 21 cases.
"We recorded 3,347 cumulative cases of HFMD from January 1, 2023 until July 8, this year," he said in a statement.
Ling said in Johor, HFMD cases involved children below six with 2,856 cases, 421 cases involving children aged between seven and 12 years and children above 13 years old with 70 cases.
He said there were 74 locations in Johor identified for the HFMD epidemic cases as of July 8, this year involving 43 kindergartens, nurseries (11), day care centres (seven), pre-schools (five) and private homes with four cases.
"Nursery schools with two cases and primary school and others with one case respectively," said Ling.
He urged the operators of the institutions where the HFMD cases started to take proactive measures to prevent the disease from spreading.
Ling advised the public to take preventive measures by practising high levels of personal hygiene such as frequent hand washing with soap and water or hand sanitisers.
"Practice good coughing etiquette by covering our mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing either by using the tissue of a face mask," he said.
Ling advised parents of guardians from bringing their children who have the HFMD symptoms to public places such as swimming pools, shopping complexes, bus stations and markets.
"Get treatments at clinics if children under your care are showing the signs or symptoms and do not send them to the childcare centres," said Ling.
He said the Health Ministry has activated the latest Infectious Disease Tracker feature in the MySejahtera application for infectious diseases such as Covid-19, rabies, measles, dengue and HFMD.
"This will help the public to carry out their daily activities and plans more carefully after identifying the risk areas," said Ling.
For more information, go to the Health Ministry website to check on the Infectious Disease Tracker at www.moh.gov.my
