Isolate children with hand, foot and mouth disease during festivities

SHAH ALAM - Parents are told to be cautious of hand foot mouth disease (HFMD) during Hari Raya gathering as the number of cases in Selangor reaches a warning level, Deputy Health Minister Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali.

He said symptoms of fever, oral ulcers, blisters and rashes around the hand, foot, mouth and buttocks subside after seven to 10 days.

Noor Azmi further urged parents to report any cases to the district health office if their young ones are infected with the disease and to seek advice and treatment from medical practitioners.

Parents are also told to stay at home until rashes subside and not to share eating utensils, toys and to keep hands clean with soap and wear mask.

Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr Koh Kar Chai said infected children will develop lesions in the mouth, on the hands and feet which spread through saliva, discharges from the nose and throat as well as the fluid from the lesions.

“Though fatalities may be rare, everyone is reminded that the spread of this disease has a potential to be high due to the Hari Raya holidays where many are travelling either back to their home towns or for holidays.

“Adopting the same SOPs as for COVID-19 will ensure that spread can be kept to a minimum. Do take your child to a doctor if you suspect that they are exhibiting symptoms of HFMD,” Dr Koh added.

Yesterday, Selangor Health director Dr Sha’ari Ngadiman said the number of weekly cases of hand, foot and mouth disease in Selangor was at a warning level.

HFMD is a disease caused by viral infections, specifically Coxsackie types A16 and Enterovirus 71 (E71) that are transmitted through direct contact with nasal fluid, saliva, blisters and faeces of the sufferer.