PENANG has recorded a 48% increase in the number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases, the state government said. 

Health exco Dr Afif Bahardin in a statement said up to July 4, the state Health Department had recorded 1,555 cases, compared with 1,050 cases in the same period last year. 

He said 53 nurseries, preschools and kindergartens had reported HFMD cases at their premises this year. 

“That’s a 381% increase from 11 premises last year over the same period. 

“This disease easily spreads, especially among children in such premises,” he said. 

Afif said operators and caregivers should take precautions to ensure cleanliness of their surroundings and equipment used by the children in their care. 

“We advise them to check the children for symptoms.

“If they detect cases of HFMD at their premises, they must report them to their nearest district health office.”

Afif also advised parents to make sure they observe cleanliness at home, such as washing their children’s hands with soap and clean water after using the toilet, disposing soiled diapers properly and sanitising their toys. 

“Kids with symptoms should also not attend school to prevent the spread of the virus.”

HFMD is a common infection caused by a group of viruses. It is spread through close personal contact, through the air from coughing and the faeces of an infected person. Contaminated objects can also spread the disease. 

Symptoms include a fever and generally feeling unwell at the beginning. A day or two later, they will have flat discoloured spots or bumps that may blister on the hands, feet and mouth, and occasionally buttocks and groin. 

It normally takes three to six days for the signs and symptoms to appear. The rash will disappear in about a week. 

Patients may also lose their fingernails and toenails a few weeks later. But the nails will grow back in time. 

Usually, patients recover on their own without treatment between seven and 10 days. But the EV71 (Enterovirus 71) can cause serious complications like encephalitis, pulmonary edema, haemorrhage and myocarditis, some of which may even result in death. – July 6, 2018.