No outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Sarawak

NST: KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan has assured the public there was no outbreak of the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in the state.
He said the death of a 4-year-old in Sibu last week did not constitute an outbreak.
"If the boy did die from the disease, it was probably an isolated case," he said.
The confirmation on the cause of death of the preschooler would only be known on Thursday.
Dr Chan, who is also the chairman of the state Disaster and Relief Management Committee, said the state usually experienced an outbreak of HFMD once every three years. The last was in 2006.
To prevent an outbreak and minimise its impact, the state Health Department had been directed to take precautionary steps now.
This includes advising the public on preventive steps and what to do when they suspect their children were infected.
"We're trying to nip it in the bud before it spreads," said Dr Chan.
He said in view of the toddler's death last week, the authorities would step up the dissemination of information on the disease.
Local non-governmental organisations, such as the Red Crescent, and those dealing with children, and operators of kindergartens and childcare centres would be roped in to help spread awareness about the disease.
Yesterday, two more cases were reported in the state, but Dr Chan said they were "normal".