GEORGE TOWN: The number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in Penang has gone up fivefold in the first three months of this year, with 3,446 cases reported from Jan 1 to March 22, versus 677 in the same period last year.
State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said the Seberang Perai Tengah district recorded the highest number of cases (1,082), followed by Seberang Perai Selatan (700), Timur Laut (628), Barat Daya (620), and Seberang Perai Utara (416).
“In the 12th Epidemiological Week from March 16 to 22, a total of 422 new HFMD cases were reported.
“This represents an increase of 25 cases or 6.3% compared to the previous week. During the same week, 22 new HFMD clusters were also reported,” he told Bernama at Komtar here yesterday.
Also present were Penang State Health Department deputy director of public health Dr Rozaini Mat Shah and principal assistant director of infectious disease control Noor Farhana Mohd Fathil.
Gooi said that of the 112 clusters reported so far this year, 81 clusters (or 72.3%) involved preschools (eight), taska (24), tadika (39) and tabika (10), while 30 outbreaks were detected in primary schools and one in a daycare centre.
However, he pointed out that only 26 clusters are still active, adding that all reported cases showed mild symptoms and received outpatient treatment.
“According to the enterovirus surveillance, the primary virus causing HFMD transmission in Penang is Coxsackievirus A16, which spreads through contact with saliva, blister fluid, and faeces of infected individuals.
“Most infections cause mild symptoms such as fever, followed by blisters on the hands, feet, mouth and tongue. Nearly all HFMD patients return home without requiring specific treatment within seven to 10 days,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gooi said one case of Enterovirus 71 was detected this year, but it was not severe.
Following this development, the state Health Department urged the public to remain vigilant and take preventive measures to curb the rising HFMD cases.
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