GEORGE TOWN, April 18 (Bernama) -- Penang registered an alarming increase in hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases after 579 cases were recorded during the 15th Epidemiological Week between April 6 and 12.
State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said this was an increase of 353 cases or 156.2 per cent compared to the previous week with four new clusters also reported during the period.
"This increase is believed to have occurred following the last Aidilfitri holidays, however, all the reported cases showed mild symptoms with outpatient treatment and none of the cases experienced severe complications or required intensive treatment," he said in a statement today.
Gooi said as a whole, Penang recorded 4,585 cumulative cases of HFMD from January to April 12, a significant increase compared to only 879 cases in the same period last year.
He said the Central Seberang Perai District (SPT) recorded the highest number of cases with 1,362 cases, followed by South Seberang Perai (SPS) (884), Northeast (852), Southwest (845) and 642 cases in Seberang Perai Utara (SPU).
In this regard, he said a special meeting was held this morning with the Special Task Force to Facilitate Business (PEMUDAH), the Penang Association of Educational Institution Operators and the Penang State Health Department (JKNPP) to discuss the current situation of HFMD in the state.
“During the session, the operators voiced several challenges faced in managing HFMD cases and as a follow-up measure, JKNPP will conduct an analysis on the effectiveness of existing operations," he said.
In the meantime, Gooi advised operators and management of early childhood care and education centres such as nurseries, taska, kindergartens and pre-schools to implement preventive measures including a screening procedure at entrances, disinfecting contaminated surfaces and reporting if there is an HFMD cluster to the nearest District Health Office (PKD).
He believed that close cooperation between the state government, JKNPP and all operators will be able to curb the spread of HFMD more effectively and efficiently.
-- BERNAMA
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