Penang records 22-fold increase in HFMD cases

GEORGE TOWN: Penang recorded 3,990 cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in the 23rd epidemiological week - a 22-fold increase compared to last year.

In 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic, there were 176 cases during the same period.

In 2019, during the pre-Covid-19 pandemic, there were 1,727 cases, a 1.3-fold increase, during the same period.

State Health Committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin said the southwest district recorded the highest number of cases at 988 followed by the Seberang Prai Tengah district (867 cases), Seberang Prai Utara district (826 cases), northeast district (786 cases) and Seberang Prai Selatan district (523 cases).

"As of the 22nd epidemiological week, there were a total 119 clusters reported compared to seven clusters during the same period last year, a 16-fold increase.

"The majority of cases were reported among six-year-olds at 3,357 cases. This was followed by those in the seven to 12 years age group (377 cases).

"Meanwhile, those over the ages of 12, recorded 256 cases," she said today.

Following the rising cases, Norlela said the Health Ministry had advised all childcare centres, kindergarten and pre-school (tabika) operators to ensure cleanliness at their premises at all times.

"They should also conduct screenings at the entrance and ensure that only children with no symptoms are allowed in.

"Similarly, they should also take precautionary measures, similar to Covid-19, such as wearing face masks and restricting communications.

"Operators should also report any HFMD clusters to the nearest district health office for further action such as control and prevention," she added.

Meanwhile, Norlela said parents and guardians of children with HFMD should not take their children to public places to prevent its spread.

"They should also refer to the infectious diseases tracker in the MySejahtera mobile application to check the HFMD hotspots," she said.

She also added that for indoor playground operators, they should also have gatekeeping screening at entrances to the indoor playground.

She said they should also sanitise the premises frequently.

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