HFM cases in Kedah

The Star: Fifteen children in Kedah are down with hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease.
They are believed to be the first cases reported in the peninsula. It is not immediately known if the strain infecting these children is the same as that affecting Sarawak, where all kindergartens and two schools were ordered to close.
The children have been warded, said state Health Committee chairman Datuk V. Saravanan, who called on the people to take their children who had symptoms of HFM to hospital.
“Parents should not give their children a herbal remedy or adopt a wait-and-see attitude,” he said, describing the symptoms as including fever and rashes.”
“They must take the children to hospital immediately as this is a highly contagious disease.”
Saravanan, however, added that the HFM occurrence in Kedah was under control and that no kindergarten had been ordered to close.
He said the 15 cases were recorded in Kota Star, Kulim, Yan and Sik.
State Veterinary Services Department director Dr Quaza Nizamuddin Hassan Nizam said 30 head of cattle down with foot-and-mouth disease were quarantined in Kampung Limau, Kubang Pasu.
“We imposed the quarantine four days ago,” he said.