Johor records alarming rise in HFMD cases in one week
JOHOR BARU: Johor has recorded an alarming 20.5 per cent surge in hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in just one week.
Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said 1,441 cases were recorded in the 17th epidemiology (epid) week this year, compared with only 1,196 cases the week before.
Since the beginning of the year, the number of infections in the state had surpassed warning levels, exceeding the total cases recorded in both 2023 and last year, he said.
"Up to now, the Tangkak, Kota Tinggi and Pontian districts have reported the highest number of HFMD cases in Johor.
"The majority of HFMD cases occurred among children under 6 with 8,085 cases (83.5 per cent), followed by children aged 7 to 12 with 1,512 cases (15.6 per cent), and the rest were aged 13 and above.
"On epid week 17, there were 14 clusters of HFMD recorded, making the cumulative total of 74 clusters reported in all state districts.
"The reported clusters involved 24 tabika, 19 preschools, 17 childcare centres (taska), 12 kindergartens, one primary school and one house," he said in a statement here today.
The Yong Peng assemblyman also said prevention efforts comprising premises disinfection, health education and monitoring efforts were being carried out.
He added that two warning circulars had been issued on March 11 by the state Health Department to all hospital directors, medical officers, childcare centre operators, teachers, kindergartens, preschools and playground operators in the state.
"Given that a significant portion of transmissions is occurring at childcare and educational centres, the state Health Department is urging all operators to implement precautionary measures to curb the spread of infections.
"These measures include strict personal hygiene and infection control practices, such as washing hands with soap and clean water after using the toilet, before food preparation, and after changing diapers or cleaning up young children.
"Always maintain cleanliness whether at home, childcare centres, kindergartens and schools, in addition to regularly washing all toys and table surfaces, chairs and floors at least twice a day," he said.
Students exhibiting symptoms should be isolated immediately while awaiting collection by their parents or guardians, or until medical treatment is sought, he said.
Any cases of infectious diseases, especially HFMD, should be reported to the nearest district health office immediately.
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