HFMD Returns: Sharp Increase Seen in Number of Reported Cases

KUCHING: The state’s Health Department has declared an outbreak of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in Kuching, Samarahan and Betong districts.

Its director Dr Zulkifli Jantan said there was a sharp increase in the number of reported cases, which nearly tripled to 609 between Jan 1 and Feb 14, from 213 cases in the same period last year.

He said Kuching detected 189 cases, followed by Bintulu with 73, Miri 51, Betong 48, and Sarikei 36.

“The majority of the cases seen so far were mild infections, with only 35 cases or 5.9% requiring hospitalisation mainly because of poor feeding.

“There were no cases with serious complications or death reported so far this year,” he added in a press statement yesterday.

Dr Zulkifli said the department’s sentinel surveillance had detected that the causative organism was a combination of EV71 and Coxsackie virus A16, with 90% of the patient samples testing positive of EV71.

HFMD due to EV71, he pointed out, had been associated with a risk of increased disease severity, and even death.

“HFMD is generally a mild and self-limiting childhood disease. It can only spread from human to human, and the main methods of spread are through direct contact with people having the illness, hand-to- mouth contact and inhalation of droplets spread by coughing and sneezing.”

Dr Zulkifli said the disease would usually begin with a fever, poor appetite, malaise (feeling vaguely unwell) and often with a sore throat.

One or two days after the fever onset, painful sores would usually develop in the mouth, beginning as small red spots that would blister and then often become ulcers.

The sores are usually located on the tongue, gums and the inside of the cheeks.

Other symptioms would include a non-itchy skin rash developed over one to two days, in which the rash would have flat or raised red spots, sometimes with blisters. The rash would usually be found on the palms and soles of the feet, and might also appear on the buttocks and/or genitalia.

A person with HFMD would only have either the rash or the mouth sores.

Dr Zulkifli advised parents of children down with HFMD to stop sending them to childcare centres, nurseries, kindergartens or play schools to avoid the spread of the disease.

Instead, they should bring their children for early medical examination and treatment, he said.

The department advised childcare handlers to observe the following measures:

>The overall health of the children should be checked daily upon arrival, taking note of any unusual symptoms or behaviour. If a child is suffering from any of the infectious diseases, he/she should be immediately isolated at the sick-bay (for childcare centres) or principal’s office (for kindergarten). The child’s parents should be informed about bringing him/her for medical treatment and be put in isolation at home/hospital.

>Maintain cleanliness of childcare centres, kindergartens or school surroundings.

>Wash all toys and surfaces of tables, chairs, floors and so on that have been in contact with saliva.

Dr Zulkifli urged the public, especially those with young children, to wash their hands with soap and clean water after using the toilet, before preparing food, and after changing diapers and cleaning after the children.

He said they should cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and not to share personal items like toothbrush, handerchiefs, towels, blankets, cups, forks or spoons.