PETALING JAYA: A child has died of suspected hand, foot, mouth disease (HFMD) in Sarawak on Saturday (July 28).

The toddler, aged two years and five months, was from Kampung Pangtray, Daro in Mukah, Sarawak.

In a statement on Saturday, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the child began to have a fever on July 24 and showed signs of rashes on the palms and feet, as well as oral ulcers the next day.

"The child was taken to the Daro Health Clinic on July 25, 2018, diagnosed with suspected HFMD and given treatment. The mother was advised to seek immediate treatment if her child did not recover," he said.

On Friday (July 27), the child was taken to the emergency and trauma department of the Daro Hospital in an unstable condition and referred to Sibu Hospital for future treatment.

However, the child died at Sibu Hospital at 2.08am on July 28, with the cause of death being severe pneumonia with HFMD infection.

"Clinical samples were taken to verify the cause of death," he added.

The Health Ministry has advised the public, especially those with young children, to take precautions to reduce their risk of being infected.

Top of the list is to wash one's hands with soap and clean water after using the toilet, before preparing food, after changing diapers and after cleaning up children's faeces.

HFMD, caused by infection of the Coxsackie A16 and EV71 virus, is easily spread through contact with saliva, blisters and faeces.