GEORGE TOWN: State health authorities are keeping a close watch on the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) even though these cases recorded a 15% decline for the first nine months of this year, says health committee chairman Daniel Gooi.
He said there were 5,335 cases reported from Jan 1 to Sept 9, lower than the corresponding period last year where 6,262 incidents were reported.
Gooi urged parents to encourage their children to practise good habits by washing their hands frequently with soap and water.
“Parents and daycare centre caretakers are advised not to bring children with HFMD symptoms to public places, schools and kindergartens to prevent any spread of the disease,” he said at a joint press conference with social development, welfare and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim.
Gooi said the majority of the cases were among children from the ages of six to 12.
There were 4,298 cases (80.6%) (six years old) and 803 cases (15%) from seven to 12 years old while the other 234 cases (4.4%) were those over 12 years.
Meanwhile, Lim said initial control and prevention of HFMD has been taken over by the Health Department and urged parents and schools to give their full cooperation to authorities handling the issue.
She suggested that parents send their children to registered centres so that the authorities can ensure that safety and education standards are followed.
Lim said sending children to registered centres can also reduce the risk of disease transmission.
“Registered centre operators can get support from government agencies in controlling diseases such as HFMD.
“Also, registered centres usually hire trained workers who know how to recognise the early symptoms of HFMD.
“They are more efficient at isolating infected children and seeking treatment, if necessary, as well as reducing the risk of transmission,” she said.
