KOTA BARU: Kelantan has seen some 1,200 cases of hand, foot, mouth, disease (HFMD) in a week.
State health director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin said the cases were reported in almost all districts in the east coast state with Kota Baru, Pasir Mas and Tanah Merah recording the highest numbers.
He described the HFMD situation in the state as being serious, but was still under control.
"Kelantan is among the states having acute cases of HFMD of late.
"The state health department recorded an average of 1,200 cases a week, bringing the cumulative number now to over 3,000 (cases)," he said.
Dr Zaini said this when met at a Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at a nursery here yesterday.
Also present was state welfare director Said Sidup.
Dr Zaini adds that several HFMD patients, mostly children, have also been warded of late.
It was reported that the Health Ministry has opened the HFMD operations room at federal and state levels for the control and prevention of the viral infection since April 4.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said from Jan 1 to May 25, 57,510 HFMD cases were reported, representing an increase of 24-fold when compared to statistics from the corresponding period last year, where 2,333 cases were reported.
On the other hand, when comparing figures of HFMD cases during the same period in 2019 (prior to the Covid-19 pandemic), there was still an increase, but only a doubling of numbers.
Khairy said the number of cases between Jan 1 and May 25, 2019, had been 27,664.