Sarawak Primary Schools May Be Closed To Stem HFM Spread

MIRI, March 7 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry is closely monitoring an outbreak of Hand, Foot and Mouth (HFM) disease in Sarawak and may close primary schools if necessary following the shutdown of kindergartens in the state last week.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the guidelines on preventing an epidemic were clear and that all parties should comply with them.
"If more than two children in a kindergarten are infected, it will automatically be closed to prevent transmission of the disease," he told reporters after a briefing on the HFM surveillance programme at the Miri General Hospital, Tuesday.
On the possibility of closing primary schools to stem the spread of HFM in Sarawak, Dr Chua said: "We have not taken a final decision yet."
State Health Director Dr Yao Sik King, who also attended the briefing, said that until Monday, HFM had been identified as the cause of four deaths in children aged four years and below and that between 150 and 200 new suspected cases were being reported each day.
So far, 3,087 cases had been reported in the state, mostly in the Sibu, Kuching, Miri and Bintulu divisions.
Asked if HFM could also infect children aged 10 and above, Dr Chua said: "It usually attacks children 10 and below. Those older can still be infected but not so seriously."
A local newspaper has reported that three teenagers aged 13, 14, and 17 were warded in Sibu Hospital since Sunday with symptoms of HFM including fever and rashes on the hands and feet.
Dr Chua, who could not confirm if the three had HFM, said the Health Department was monitoring the case.
Asked about some kindergarten operators disregarding the shutdown order, he said the authorities could revoke their licences or charge them in court with the penalty being a fine or jail term of up to two years.
On Friday, the ministry ordered 488 kindergartens in Sarawak to be closed for two weeks following an increase in the cases of HFM among children.