GEORGE TOWN: There has been a 409% rise in the number of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases reported in Penang from Jan 1 to March 22 this year, compared to the same period last year.
Penang health committee chairman Daniel Gooi said there were 3,446 cases recorded during that period this year compared to 677 cases during the same period last year.
“This is an increase of 2,769 cases, with Central Seberang Perai recording the highest number of cases at 1,082, followed by South Seberang Perai (700 cases), the Northeast district on the island (628 cases), Southwest district on the island (620 cases) and North Seberang Perai (416 cases),” he said during a press conference in Komtar on Friday (March 28).
Gooi said based on the the 12th epidemiological week 2025 from March 16 to March 22, Penang recorded 422 new HFMD cases.
“Compared to the previous week, this shows an increase of 25 cases or 6.3%.
“In the same week, 22 new HFMD clusters were reported.
“All reported cases showed mild symptoms and were treated as outpatients.
"No cases had severe complications or required intensive care,” he said.
Of the total 112 clusters since the start of the year (Jan 1), Gooi said 26 of them remain active.
"Of the 112 clusters reported this year, 81 clusters (72.3%) involved daycares, kindergartens and pre-schools, while 30 clusters (26.8%) were in primary schools and one (0.9%) was from a care centre.
"A cluster is when more than two cases are reported," he said.
Gooi said based on enterovirus surveillance, the primary virus causing HFMD transmission in Penang was Coxsackievirus A16 (CA16).
"The virus spreads through contact with saliva, blister fluid and feces of infected individuals.
“Most infections show mild symptoms such as fever followed by blister-like rashes on the hands, feet, mouth and the tongue.
“Nearly all patients with HFMD recover without requiring specific treatment within seven to 10 days," he said.
Gooi said only one case of enterovirus 71 (EV71) was detected in Penang in 2025.
"It (EV71 infections) can cause severe complications such as encephalitis (brain infection), pneumonitis (lung infection) and myocarditis (heart muscle infection).
“So far no serious HFMD cases have been reported in Penang, nor have any required intensive care (ICU) and no deaths have been reported,” he said.
Gooi urged the public to remain vigilant and take preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection and manage the increasing cases of HFMD.
"Please maintain personal, home and environmental hygiene.
"Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitisers.
"Avoid sending children showing symptoms or signs of infection to childcare centres or schools.
"Take them (children) to the nearest clinic or hospital if they show symptoms or signs of infection, especially fever and rashes on their hands, feet, and mouth.
"Avoid taking children to crowded public places such as swimming pools, markets, shopping malls and night or weekend markets if they exhibit symptoms or signs of HFMD," he said.
Gooi also urged operators and management of childcare and early childhood education centres such as daycares, kindergartens and pre-schools to implement screening at entrances.
"I urge them to disinfect and sanitise contaminated surfaces in their centres and report the clusters to the nearest District Health Office if there is an infection.
"It is important for all parties to cooperate to help control its spread in Penang," he said.
