Many states, except Sarawak, recorded a rise compared with the corresponding period last year.

Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the number of HFMD outbreaks reported were 1,093, with 539 premises closed throughout the country.

“Out of the total number of premises closed, 241 were nurseries, 259 kindergartens and 39 schools,” he told reporters after the anti-Aedes community clean-up programme at Warnasari Residency, Bandar Puncak Alam here, today.

HFMD is a disease caused by viral infection, especially from Coxsackie A16 and Enterovirus 71 (E71), that is transmitted through direct contact with nasal fluid, saliva, blisters and stools of the HFMD carrier.

Commenting further, he said Selangor recorded the highest number of 11,349 HFMD cases, followed by Kuala Lumpur (4,428) and Sarawak (4,412).

“We call on all parties, including parents and teachers, to play their role by implementing good practices at home and in the school.”

He said the ministry wanted the private sector to help by donating hand sanitizers to schools as part of efforts to curb the spread of HFMD.

On today’s event, Dzulkefly said the ministry would intensify the community programme on a mega scale nationwide, especially in Selangor, with the involvement of the local communities, to combat dengue.

“As we are aware, Selangor still records the highest number of dengue cases in Malaysia with a total of 21,648 cases from Jan 1 until July 21 this year.

“As such, I also want the joint management bodies and local residents living in flats in the state to play an active role in cleaning activities to ensure the surrounding areas are clean and free from Aedes mosquitoes,” he added.