HFMD: Health Ministry Orders Kindergartens In Sarawak Closed

PUTRAJAYA, March 3 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry Friday ordered the closure of 488 kindergartens in Sarawak with immediate effect for two weeks following rising cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) among children.
Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the decision was made after consulting Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan.
"So far, only 32 kindergartens have been ordered to be shut down.
"This action is taken to cut off the transmission of the infection of the disease which increased markedly in Sarawak," he told a press conference on the disease.
He said the rise in HFMD cases was first detected in Sibu, followed by Kuching, Bintulu and Miri.
Chua said it has been a trend for HFMD cases to happen in Sarawak once in three years from 1997, 2000, 2003 and early this year.
"There were 942 cases between Jan 1 2006 and Feb 18 compared to only 270 in the same period last year.
"What is more worrying is the three suspected HFMD deaths in Sibu this year, the latest death was two days ago.
"One of them was positive Enterovirus 71 (EV71), the virus which caused deaths during the HFMD outbreak in 1997," he said.
Dr Chua said the decision to shut down kindergartens was to cut off transmission of the disease effectively and to facilitate clean-up work at the premises.
"This disease is spread through saliva and faeces from those with disease. Saliva is the mode of transmission," he said.
He said health education is being given to kindergarten operators, parents and the public to ensure they do not panic following the rise in HFMD cases.
"Actually, cleanliness is the most important, particularly self-hygiene like washing the hands after visiting the toilet, and ensuring cleanliness of children as this disease attacks children aged below 10," he said.
He advised parents whose children have symptoms like fever, ulcer and sore throat to seek treatment immediately.
"This disease normally happens between three and five days. Death is caused by complications like inflammation of the heart and sometimes meningitis," he said.
Dr Chua said problems arose when parents allowed their HFMD-infected children to move around actively which could cause them to suffer complications like inflammation of the heart.
"This is the main cause of deaths. Normally, the disease has no complications and it will recover in three to five days.
"What's important is rest, medicine to bring down the fever, drink water and maintain cleanliness. This treatment is easy and not difficult," he added.