A total of 31,661 HFMD cases were recorded in the country from January to May 17, a 15-fold increase from the same period last year. Last week alone saw a 349% increase in cases compared with the previous week, with cases rising from 1,676 to 7,526.
FMT takes a look at the reasons for the soaring HFMD cases, and what preventative measures can be taken.
What is HFMD?
HFMD is a disease mainly caused by the Coxsackie virus A16 (CA16) and Enterovirus 71 (EV71), which spread through direct contact with nasal fluid, saliva, blisters and the faeces of those infected.
The symptoms include fever, painful blister-like sores in the mouth, and rashes that may appear as blisters.
What has been happening?
The majority of cases reported have been in Selangor at 28% of the total, followed by Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya at 14%, Sabah (8%), Perak (8%) and Kelantan (7.9%).
Earlier this month, Kelantan’s HFMD cases stood at 1,548 cases, a 553% increase compared with the same period last year.
In Melaka, 12 childcare premises were closed after 1,378 cases were recorded from the start of the year to May 14 – roughly 25 times compared with the corresponding period last year.
As of May 7, Terengganu recorded 782 HFMD cases, an increase of more than 700% compared with the corresponding period last year, when it recorded only 95 cases.
Who is at risk?
While it is possible for adults to contract the disease, it is far less likely in comparison to young children.
In a statement, the health ministry said of all cases reported, most – 94% – were children aged six and below, while 5% were those aged between seven and 12.
Dr Zulkifli Ismail, consultant paediatrician and chairman of the Malaysian Paediatric Association’s Positive Parenting programme, explained that the viruses that caused HFMD targeted individuals with reduced immunity and those who had never been exposed to them before.
He said the sudden increase in the number of children infected with HFMD is due to the opening up of schools, kindergartens, daycare facilities and nurseries after the prolonged isolation during the pandemic.
He also said another reason was parents sending their unwell children to these centres, thus spreading the virus to other children.
Noting that most of the HFMD patients he had seen had caught the infection at kindergartens or daycare centres, he said most adults or older children would have been exposed to these viruses and would have developed a certain level of immunity.
Why is it happening?
According to Terengganu health department director Dr Kasemani Embong, a majority of cases in the state involved children who were placed in nurseries.
She said the failure to take preventive measures and ensure hygiene in nurseries had been the reasons for the spread of HFMD.
In Melaka, state health and anti-drugs committee chairman Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said the increase in the number of HFMD cases was reported after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays and the reopening of childcare centres and kindergartens.
However, health minister Khairy Jamaluddin had previously said this increase was expected with the reopening of all economic sectors and schools, and the resumption of face-to-face learning in kindergartens and child care centres.
“Last year, the movement control order stopped people from going out freely. The number of HFMD cases was expected to increase (after the reopening) and it’s back to normal now,” said Khairy.
Staying protected
Selangor health director Dr Sha’ari Ngadiman has urged the public, particularly entrepreneurs and child caregivers, to take precautions by ensuring the cleanliness of premises, floors, bathrooms, as well as equipment used by children.
“Besides that, those in charge must do screenings at entrances; practise personal hygiene, including washing hands when handling children; ensure disposable diapers are thrown into covered bins; and report any HFMD clusters to the nearest district health office,” Sha’ari said.
Khairy advised the public to be mindful of personal hygiene and said parents should use the MySejahtera app for information on infectious diseases.