By Norrasyidah Arshad
SHAH ALAM, April 22 — The number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases for children below seven years old have increased in Selangor since early this year with a total of 4,383 cases reported.
Selangor State Health Department director Datuk Dr Sha’ari Ngadiman said some 103 clusters were detected involving 497 cases with 95 per cent were from nurseries, kindergartens and daycare centres.
“However, no deaths linked to HFMD were reported so far. The weekly cases have also surpassed the number of cases recorded during the same period last year,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He said HFMD is caused by an enterovirus and spreads through contact with surfaces or equipment contaminated with saliva, blisters or faeces of HFMD patients.
“The infection is usually mild and almost all patients recover without treatment within seven to 10 days,” he said.
Parents are advised to take precautionary actions below:
- Always ensure the premises’ cleanliness, especially the floor and bathroom as well as equipment and hardware used by children
- Conduct screening at the entrance to make sure the child has no signs of HFMD infection. Symptomatic children are not allowed on the premises
- Always practice personal hygiene including washing hands after handling one child before handling another child
- Make sure disposable diapers are disposed of in a covered trash bin
- Report the HFMD cluster to the nearest district health office for control and preventive action
How to care for children with signs of HFMD infection:
- Do not bring children to public places, schools, kindergartens and daycare centres because it can spread the infection
- Wash hands with soap and clean water after going to the toilet, changing diapers and touching or treating blisters
- Ensure disposal of disposable diaper is done properly
How to prevent HFMD infection:
- Personal hygiene
- Proper hand washing practices
- Environmental hygiene care
- Examination or screening of children, pupils at the entrances of kindergartens, preschools and schools
- Disinfection of contaminated surfaces
