N. Sembilan records 2,249 HFMD cases since January - Exco

SEREMBAN, May 20 (Bernama) -- Negeri Sembilan recorded a total of 2,249 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) from January until yesterday, said state Health, Environment, Cooperatives and Consumerism Committee chairman S. Veerapan.

He said the cumulative number of cases in the current week was 766 cases, a two-fold increase from the previous week.

Seremban recorded the highest number of cases at 1,358, followed by Port Dickson (274), Jempol (200), Rembau (197), Kuala Pilah (87), Tampin (83) and Jelebu (50).

“The cumulative outbreak of HFMD in the state this year is 35, four of which are still active, namely three in Jempol and one in Kuala Pilah,” he said in a statement here today.

He added that the significant increase in cases this year was, among others, due to the reopening of the education sector and public places.

Veerapan said parents or guardians should vigilantly monitor their children's health and not send them to school or kindergarten if they exhibit HFMD symptoms such as fever, ulcers in the mouth, and blisters on the hands or feet.

Meanwhile, in KEDAH, a total of 419 new HFMD cases were recorded in the 19th epidemiological week from May 8 to 14, state Health and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mohd Hayati Othman said.

He said this was an increase of 317 cases from 102 cases reported in the previous week, thus bringing the cumulative figure for HFMD cases in Kedah this year to 1,435 cases.

“One new cluster was reported involving a kindergarten in Yan, while other cases were sporadic infections,” he said in a statement.

According to Dr Mohd Hayati, the Kuala Muda district recorded the highest number of cases so far this year at 290, followed by Kota Setar (235), Kubang Pasu (229) and Kulim (165).

Some 27 HFMD outbreaks were also reported this year with 26 of them occurring in education centres such as childcare centres, kindergartens and pre-schools.

-- BERNAMA