THERE has been a 24-fold increase in the number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases reported between January 1 to May 25 compared to the same period last year, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said.

Between January to May 25, a total of 57,510 HFMD cases have been reported, compared to 2,333 cases for the same period in 2021.

“The comparison is not useful, as last year, there was not much movement and the kindergartens were closed,” Khairy said in a Zoom press conference from Geneva, Switzerland where he is attending the World Health Assembly.

“Compared to 2019, the pre-pandemic period, 27,664 were reported in the same period, which is equivalent to a one-fold increase. So, there is an increase, but not as drastic.”

Khairy said the sudden spike in cases was mainly due to social activities and the full reopening of schools and kindergartens in April.

The lack of personal hygiene, hand-washing, mask-wearing and lack of social distancing are also contributing factors, he said.

“It became worse during the Hari Raya period as there were many social activities.”

HFMD cases are averaging 1,500 to 15,000 weekly with 300 to 2,000 daily cases reported.

“The five states with the highest number of cases are Selangor (16,286), Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (7,298), Perak (5,045), Kelantan (4,194) and Sabah (3,829).

“A majority of cases, 92% (52,846) was reported among children aged six and below while 7% (3,741) involved children aged seven to 12.”

As of May 25, only two children have been hospitalised and required treatment in the intensive care unit, Khairy said. 

“The first child is recovering and no longer needs respiratory aid while the second child still requires respiratory aid but is stable.”

Khairy said 1,370 outbreaks were detected at kindergartens, private homes and nurseries.

The ministry, he said has delegated the risk analysis of the outbreak to local health clinics. – May 26, 2022.