By Norrasyidah Arshad
SHAH ALAM, May 18 — Daycare operators have been asked to enhance the physical inspections of their charges to control the outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD)
The Selangor Daycare Association chairman Mahanom Basri said this includes checking for the disease’s symptoms in the mouth and on the body as well as ensuring the child does not come down with a fever.
“The check should begin at the front door. If there are any symptoms, ask the parents to bring their children for treatment and to see a doctor.
“HFMD can rapidly spread. Should it not be monitored, it can spread in the daycare centre and pose a high risk to the other children,” she said when contacted.
Mahanom also asked parents to be vigilant with their surroundings and to not bring their children to public places, to prevent infections.
Yesterday Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the number of HFMD cases has increased by 15-fold with 31,661 cases reported as of May, compared to the same period last year.
Selangor recorded the highest number of cases at 8,864, followed by Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya with 4,421 cases, Sabah with 2,650 cases, Perak with 2,638 cases, and Kelantan with 2,493 while the remaining states and territories recorded under 1,500 cases.
However, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari has stated the infections are under control, with no schools or daycare centres closed down for the time being.
