KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has recorded 82,846 cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) from the beginning of 2022 until the last day of Epidemiology Week (ME) 22/2022, on June 4.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said overall, this figure shows a 32-fold increase compared to 2,485 cases reported in the same period last year, and a 1.7-fold increase compared to 30,489 cases reported two years ago.
However, he said, HFMD cases reported nationwide during ME22/2022 week was only 16,954, a 9.3 per cent decrease compared to 18,688 cases reported on ME21/2022.
"As of June 4, a total 23,305 cases were reported in Selangor, followed by Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya with 9,540 cases, Perak 8,032, Kelantan 5,782 and Johor 5,234 cases.
"The remaining states reported less than 4,600 HFMD cases," Dr Noor Hisham said in a statement, today.
He said a total 74,841 HFMD cases were detected among children aged six and below.
"A total 6,520 cases were detected among the age group of 7-12, and 1,485 cases among those aged 12 and above".
Dr Noor Hisham said three major viruses which cause HFMD transmissions within the community, namely Enterovirus 71 (EV71), Coksackie A6 (CA6) and Coxsackie A16 (CA16), have been detected through the ministry's surveillance.
"As of now, there were three cases of HFMD admitted to intensive care units (ICU).
"The first and second cases were referred to the ICU due to inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). They are still being monitored in the ICU.
"The third case has recovered and allowed to go home on May 31," he said.
He said three states reported the highest HFMD outbreaks namely Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya with 562, Selangor with 208 and Sarawak with 206.
"An outbreak occurs when there are two or more cases in one locality, and the cases are epidemiology-related as well as occur during the HFMD incubation period.
"A majority of these outbreaks occurred in nurseries, kindergartens and pre-schools. This was proven with 1,059 outbreaks detected at these places.
"The second common place for HFMD outbreaks is at home, with 605 outbreaks, and 56 in childcare centres."
He also reminded the public that the government has approved for a parent or guardian who works in the public sector to take childcare leave to care for their HFMD-infected kids and require isolation.
"This leave is granted under the Human Resources Services (MyPPSM) circular, enacted under the Quarantine Leave Facility provision which has been improved and effective since March 4 this year.
"HFMD is one of the seven infectious diseases requiring quarantine or isolation that is permitted for childcare leave under the provision.
"Therefore, we hope for the public services heads of department are aware of this matter and take responsibility in assisting the government to curb HFMD transmissions in this country," he said.
He said as of June 4, a total 31,621 premises have been inspected for HFMD cases, 25,240 premises indicated, monitored and disinfected while 121,126 health education programmes have been conducted.
He said these are among the ministry's control and prevention measures for HFMD conducted nationwide.