JOHOR recorded 5,234 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) as at June 4, a 50-fold increase from 104 cases in the same period last year.

State Health and Unity Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said children under six years old accounted for 4,594 of the cases, those between seven and 12 accounted for 564 cases and the rest were aged 13 and above.

“Forty-one outbreaks were detected in nurseries (taska), 18 in private homes, 13 in tabika, eight in tadika, seven in preschools, three in primary schools, two in day-care centres and three elsewhere,” he said in a statement today.

He said there are 25 active HFMD outbreaks, with Johor Baru having the highest number at 11, followed by Kluang (7), Kota Tinggi (5) and Muar and Tangkak (1 each).

He advised the public to take preventative measures to curb the spread of the contagious disease.

“Parents should use the school holidays as an opportunity to teach their children to maintain good personal hygiene and a clean environment,” he said.

“The operators of educational institutions should carry out a cleaning and disinfection operation during this period.” – Bernama, June 6, 2022.