Sharp rise in HFM cases detected in Sarawak

The Star KUCHING: A three-fold increase in cases of hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease was detected when primary schools re-opened on Monday.
The big jump in cases was attributed to the active detection exercise carried out by health teams at schools that were closed since the second-term holidays.
There were 235 cases yesterday, up from 75 on Monday.
Sarikei had 48 cases, followed by Miri (43), Samarahan (33), Kuching (26), Sibu and Limbang (21 each).
“Fifty-one of the 235 new cases were detected by the health teams,” said Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam.
He said there were 25 new admissions to hospitals yesterday and that 77 children were still warded across the state.
A school in Julal district was closed after seven pupils were found to have been infected.