JOHOR BARU: Johor has seen an increase in hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) beginning January this year compared with 2023 and 2024.
State health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said there were 1,6867 cases in epidemiology week 18 (EW18) against 1,441 cases in EW17.
“This represented a 17.1% increase, bringing the cumulative cases of the HFMD to 11,551 cases to date,’’ he said in a statement.
Ling said the majority of those affected were children aged below six years old with 9,396 cases (81.3%), followed by children between seven and 12 years, with 1,853 cases (16%) and the remaining children aged 13 years and above.
He said there were HMFD clusters in EW18, bringing the total cumulative HMFD clusters to 79, at 39 kindergartens, 20 pre-schools, 18 childcare centres, a primary school and a private residential.
“Some 400 cases were detected from 3,202 individuals exposed to the disease,’’ added Ling.
He also reminded the operators of the educational institutions catering for children to take precautionary measures to minimise the risk of infection among children.
“Practice high standards of hygiene and immediately report to the District Health Department in case the HFMD is detected at the premises,’’ said Ling.
