ALOR STAR: Kedah recorded 1,016 cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) since January this year, a jump of nearly 50 per cent compared to the same period in 2019.
State Health and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mohd Hayati Othman said 102 HFMD cases were reported in Kedah between May 1 and 7 (18th Epidemiology Week).
"The highest number of cases were reported in three districts namely Kuala Muda (29 cases), Kota Setar (22 cases) and Padang Terap (17 cases).
"This has brought the accumulative HFMD cases for 2022 to 1,016, a jump of 46.6 per cent compared to the same period in 2019 (prior to the Covid-19 pandemic)," he said in a statement today.
Dr Mohd Hayati added that the rising number of HFMD cases was evident since the 13th Epidemiology Week, where it breached the epidemic threshold.
"With this development, plus the current Hari Raya festive period, the state Health Department advises the public especially those with young children to take precautionary measurers such as maintaining personal hygiene, washing hands regularly, performing health screening at day care centres and disinfecting contaminated surfaces.
"Parents are also advised to refer their children to the nearest clinic or hospital if they develop symptoms such as fever and rashes on their hand, foot and mouth. Avoid taking children to crowded places such as public swimming pools, markets, shopping malls and bus stations.
"Refrain from sending children with symptoms to schools or day care centres," he said.
HFMD is caused by infections of various viruses, particularly Coxsackie A16 and Enterovirus 71 (EV71) viruses. The viruses spread by contracting with the patient's saliva, blisters and faeces.
Majority of infections show mild symptoms such as fever followed by rashes on their hand, foot and mouth and tongue.
"Almost all patients who contracted HFMD would recover without requiring specific health treatment between seven to 10 days after getting the infection.
"However, EV71 infections may lead to serious complications such as encephalitis, pneumonitis and myocarditis," Dr Mohd Hayati added.
Last week, health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said Malaysia has recorded a significant increase in HFMD cases.
He said 22,463 HFMD cases were reported in the country in the 17th Epidemiology Week, a sharp jump of 12.8 times compared to the same period last year with 1,752 cases.