Parents, Caregivers Advised To Remain Cautious Of HFMD During School Holidays

KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 (Bernama) -- Parents and caregivers are advised to remain extra cautious following the recent surge in Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) amid the excitement of the school holidays.
Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City (SMC) Paediatric Infectious Disease Consultant Dr Ch'ng Tong Wei said the current scale of transmission is alarming, necessitating heightened awareness and preventive measures.
'As a paediatric infectious disease specialist, I have observed a rise in hospital referrals, concerned parental inquiries and requests for guidance from preschools and kindergartens on outbreak management,' she said in a statement today.
She said the recent rise in cases across Selangor, Johor, Perak and other states is a reminder for the public to remain vigilant, not just in hospitals but as a community.
'We are monitoring the situation closely with our paediatric teams, nurses and the infection control unit are working hand-in-hand to support parents and manage cases safely and efficiently,' she said.
She said by staying informed and adopting preventive measures, the public can collectively reduce the transmission of the disease and safeguard their children's health.
'Together, we can protect our children and reduce transmission by adhering to the guidelines," she said, adding that parents and caregivers should consult healthcare professionals if they have any inquiries.
Ch'ng said the highly contagious viral infection, predominantly affecting children under five, typically presents with fever, sore throat, reduced appetite, painful oral ulcers and rash on the hands, feet and occasionally buttocks.
She said that although most cases are mild, with recovery within seven to 10 days, a small number of cases, usually linked to the EV71 virus strain, might lead to complications such as viral meningitis, encephalitis (brain inflammation) and cardiopulmonary complications.

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