Eight Children Down With FMD, Selayang Hospital Nursery Closed

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- The Selayang Hospital's nursery has been closed since Wednesday after at least eight children from the nursery were infected with the foot and mouth disease (FMD).
Selangor Health director Dr Ang Kim Teng said the nursery, located within the hospital's premises, was used as a day-care centre for the staff's children.
"It only involves children of the hospital staff. The nursery has been closed for one week for the cleaning process which started on Wednesday," he told Bernama Friday.
Dr Ang did not give the exact number of children affected except to say that there were only a few mild cases and that they were treated as outpatients two days ago.
A hospital staff, who declined to be identified, said that at least eight children at the nursery were infected with the FMD.
According to Selangor Health Department statistics, there were 973 cases of FMD reported in the state in 2005 and 900 cases last year.
"FMD is endemic. So, from time to time, we will receive reports of such cases," Dr Ang said.