SABAH has recorded an average of 47 hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases every week this year, an increase of 27% from last year. 

To date, the state Health Department has recorded 940 cases and 30 outbreak episodes up to May 19 this year. 

“An HFMD outbreak is defined as when two or more cases are reported in the same locality and during the same incubation period,” state health director Dr Christina Rundi said in a statement today. 

Her statement follows an internal circular that had gone viral on social media involving a Chinese primary school in Papar yesterday being forced to close for two weeks. 

The district health office confirmed that three pupils from SJK(C) Cheng Hwa had HFMD. 

Sabah Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Stephen Wong assured that measures had been taken to control HFMD. 

Although most HFMD patients can recover without medical treatment in seven to 10 days, those infected may face respiratory tract infection, vomiting, diarrhoea and loss of appetite. – June 6, 2018.