THERE is no vaccine for hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) but parents and guardians can minimise the risk of the virus spreading with preventive measures, such as by paying attention to the children’s hygiene.

Kota Kinabalu health officer Jiloris@Julian Frederick Dony said children should be taught to cough or sneeze without spraying fluids on others nearby.

“Parents and guardians need to implement ‘gatekeeping’ starting at home. They should ensure the children wash their hands using the proper technique to keep their hands clean, especially before and after eating.

“HFMD can infect adults, but children aged 10 and below are at high risk of being infected because they do not have a strong immune system,” he told reporters after launching the Children’s Health Education programme here today. 

Jiloris also advised parents and guardians to isolate children who had been infected and to report the infection to the health office.

Children’s daycare operators are reminded to regularly clean their premises as well as the furniture and toys.

Sabah Health director Dr Christina Rundi yesterday said the number of HFMD cases in the state stood at 2,605.

The districts with the most cases are Kota Kinabalu (564); Beaufort (393); Penampang (258); and Sandakan (221). 

Twenty-four schools and nurseries in Sabah are still closed due to HFMD. – Bernama, August 8, 2018.