Malaysia on HFMD alert

PETALING JAYA: The country is on alert level following an outbreak of the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) nationwide.  

From June 5 to 11, the number of HFMD cases reported was 1,379, an increase of 83 (6.4%) compared with the week before, the Health Ministry said. 

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the increasing HFMD trend in cases began from the week of April 24 to 30, which were 794 cases.

This followed after it crossed the warning level, surpassing the highest level of 644 cases a week last year.

“Following that, the Ministry had issued warning letters on the increasing number of HFMD cases on May 9 to all state health departments so that they step up monitoring efforts and prevent it from spreading,” he said in a statement Thursday. 

On Wednesday, it was reported that Negri Sembilan was on HFMD alert as health authorities cautioned nurseries and preschools to observe greater hygiene following a sharp increase in cases. 

Dr Hisham said that so far, Selangor reported the highest number of HFMD cases with 4,441 (32.6%), followed by Johor 1,393 (10.2%), Kuala Lumpur 1,317 (9.7%), Sabah 1,299 (9.5%) and Sarawak 1,108 (8.1%). 

Perak had 892 cases (6.5%), Malacca 727 (5.3%), Penang 713 (5.2%), Negri Sembilan 522 (3.8%), Pahang 345 (2.5%) and Kedah 265 (1.9%) while other states had less than 200 cases. 

Dr Hisham said majority of the HFMD cases were caused by the Coxsackie Virus A16 and Enterovirus 71 (EV 71).