A TOTAL of 144 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) have been recorded in the districts of Hilir Perak and Bagan Datuk during the 17th Epidemiology Week (ME) this year.

State Health, Environment, Science and Green Technology Committee chairman Mohd Akmal Kamarudin said the number jumped 7.5-fold compared with the corresponding ME last year, which recorded only 17 cases.

“To date, seven outbreaks of HFMD have been declared where six cases (86%) occurred in Hilir Perak and one case (14%) in Bagan Datuk,” he said in a statement today.

Akmal said five outbreaks occurred in kindergartens, nurseries and preschools, and two in childcare centres.

He urged parents to ensure that their children are free of HFMD before sending them to nurseries, childcare centres or childminders to prevent outbreaks.

“Children with symptoms of infection should be taken to a clinic or hospital for further examination and treatment,” he said. – Bernama, May 6, 2022.