KUCHING: The total number of HFMD cases reported in 2017 as of 15 April was 4,874 cases, of which 178 cases were admitted to hospitals.
No death case reported so far.
The Sarawak State Health Department would like to emphasize the importance of maintaining high standards of personal and environmental hygiene to minimize the risk of HFMD at all times. Parents should ensure that their children adopt the following good hygiene practices:
• Frequently wash hands with soap and water e.g. before eating and after going to the toilet;
• Cover mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing, and throw the tissue away into a bin immediately
• Do not share food/drinks, eating utensils, toothbrushes, toys or towels with others.
Parents should practise hand hygiene and to ensure that articles such as toys, appliances or surfaces that are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions are cleaned and disinfected before they are being used again.
Parents should consult a doctor early if their child has fever, mouth ulcers and rashes on the palms, soles or buttocks. Children with HFMD should remain at home until all the blisters have dried up. During this period, contact with other children – including sibling should be avoided until the child recovers. The affected child should not be brought to any public or crowded places.
Parents are encouraged to inform the nearest district health office if their children especially preschoolers were infected with HFMD.
They can also inform the State Health Department via Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC), Sarawak State Health Department at:
Hotline: 082-443248/082-441780 Email: cprc_sarawak@moh.gov.my Fax No.: 082-443098
Operating hours: Monday-Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Saturday, Sunday & Public Holiday: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.
