Melaka sees alarming increase in HFMD cases

MELAKA: Incidences of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in the state has increased by an alarming 76% or an additional 659 cases for the first seven months of 2018 compared to last year.

State Health and Anti-Drug committee chairman Low Chee Leong said the HFMD figure as of July 28 was at 1,522 cases, with Melaka Tengah district being the worst hit.

Low said 10 nurseries had been ordered to close and the latest was a preschool in Alor Gajah on July 25.

"This was in accordance with the standard operating procedure (SOP) set by the Health Ministry," he said on Tuesday.

Low said the nine nurseries were closed between July 3 and July 17 for a 10-day period, and the Alor Gajah nursery would be reopened on Aug 3 if conditions permit.

He said 80% of those affected were children below seven years old.

Low said the state Health Department had taken various initiatives to contain the spread of the disease and to raise awareness among locals, including urging them to practise good hygiene.

He said parents should not send their children to schools or taken them to public places if they showed symptoms of HFMD.

HFMD typically manifests itself with rashes in the hands and feet as well as ulcers in the mouth.