KUCHING: The spread of the the hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) has risen from from 25 cases in Week 18 to 822 cases in Week 21.
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian reminded parents of children with HFMD to not send them to kindergartens, nurseries, or play school while they are ill to help reduce the spread of the disease.
In stating this, he also advised parents to bring their children for early medical attention.
“If the child does not appear to be getting better or is getting more ill, parents are advised to bring the child back to see the doctor or to the nearest hospital for further medical examination and treatment,” he said on Friday (June 4) during his weekly Friday evening with RTM Sarawak’s REDfm session.
Dr Sim who is also Minister of Local Government, Housing, and Public Health stated that HFMD can only spread from human to human.
He said the main methods of spread are by direct contact with people having the illness; faecal to hands and hand-to-mouth; as well as inhalation of droplets spread by coughing and sneezing.
“The disease usually begins with a fever, poor appetite, malaise or appearing vaguely unwell and often with a sore throat.
“One or two days after the onset of fever, painful sores usually develop in the mouth which begin as small red spots that blister and then often develop into ulcers. The sores are usually located on the tongue, gum, and buccal (relating to the cheek) of the mouth.
“A non-itchy skin rash develops over one or two days, it has flat or raised red spots and sometimes with blisters. The rash is usually located on the palms and soles, it may also appear on the buttocks or genitalia.
“However, a person with HFMD may only have the rash or only the mouth sores,” he explained.
As such, he pointed out the Sarawak Health Department would like to advise the public especially those having young children to take precautions to reduce their risks of getting infected.
This include washing hands with soap and clean water after using the toilet, before preparing food, after changing diapers and washing children clean; covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; not sharing personal items like toothbrushes, handkerchiefs, towels, blankets, cups, forks, and spoons.
Besides that, maintaining cleanliness in the house, childcare centres, kindergartens, and schools as well as their surroundings; washing all toys and surfaces which have been contaminated with saliva of children; bringing children to the nearest clinic or hospital if they have signs or symptoms of infection.
He also reminded parents on getting their children vaccinated against the COVID-19.
