PUTRAJAYA, May 18 (Bernama) -- The total number of hand, foot and mouth
disease (HFMD) cases reported throughout the country from May 6 to 12 increased
to 1,468 compared with 1,147 cases the week before.
Health director-general Datuk Seri Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman said from the
total, Selangor recorded the highest number of HFMD cases at 350 cases, followed
by Sarawak (343 cases), Johor (195 cases), Penang (128 cases), Kuala Lumpur 100
cases, while 91 cases were reported in Sabah.
"Other states reported less than 60 cases. Most of the cases reported were
mild," he said in a statement today.
According to him, 180 patients were warded in hospitals nationwide during
the period for observation and rehydration treatment and there were no HFMD
deaths reported.
He said the World Health Organisation also confirmed that the increase in
HFMD cases in Asian Pacific countries including Malaysia was as expected by WHO
because an HFMD flare-up usually occurred every three years.
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HFMD-CASE 2 (LAST) PUTRAJAYA
Meanwhile, the overall total number of HFMD cases throughout country since
Jan 1 to May 12 was 17,221 cases with the highest in Sarawak (6,066 cases),
Selangor (3,445 cases), Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (1,420 cases), Johor (1,153
cases) and Kelantan recorded 1,079 HFMD cases, he said.
HFMD was caused by the Coxsackie Virus A16 (Cox A16) and Enterovirus 71
(EV71) which could be infected through nose droplets, saliva, blister and faeces
of infected children apart from facial contact and HFMD virus infected toys.
Those who were infected would have symptoms such as fever, mouth ulcers,
blisters on the palm and sole.
Dr Hasan said the best preventive measure was personal and environmental
cleanliness.
-- BERNAMA
NSS CHW AO
