Lately, news about the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) have been spreading like wildfire after it reportedly recorded 1,673 cases two days ago in Penang.
However, the number of HFMD cases reported have since risen by 18 cases to 1,691 cases (from 1,673 cases), reported The Malay Mail. Penang Health Department Director Dr Wan Mansor Hamzah shared that 1,207 cases originated from the island while only 484 reported cases were from the mainland.
Source: NST
On top of that, he added that 930 of the cases reported were from the Northeast district of the island, around George Town. He was quoted as saying,
“Three primary schools, two nurseries, 14 kindergartens and one daycare centre remain closed as of now.”
The three primary schools that are closed are SJK(C) Phor Tay, Tenby International School and SJK(C) Shih Chung.
Altogether, 63 premises have been closed due to the outbreak and 26 of them are in the northeast district of Penang. These places have been reportedly closed since January up until this afternoon (11 July 2018). That’s such a long time!
Not only that, Dr Wan had also instructed all schools to ensure that their premises are clean to prevent HFMD from spreading further.
Source: The Malay Mail
“Parents must also take their children to the doctor if they show signs of the disease,” he said.
You heard the guy, please bring your kids to the doctor if they show any symptoms of HFMD.
If you didn’t know, the symptoms of HFMD include:
- Fever
- Rashes
- Blisters on palms and feet
- Ulcers in the mouth and tongue
Originating from the viral infections of the Coxsackie A16 and Enterovirus 71 (EV71) strains, it spreads through saliva, blisters and faeces of an infected person. Therefore, if your children contract this disease, you must quarantine them to avoid the disease from spreading as they could be carrying the HFMD virus.
It looks like this disease is on the rise, so please make sure you take all precautions to ensure that your surrounding is always clean and hygienic.
Stay safe, guys!
Also read: Measles Outbreak On the Rise in M’sia Because People are Refusing Vaccination
