The number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in Sarawak has increased after the school and Gawai holidays, with 341 new cases reported from June 17 until today.

Sarawak Health Department director Dr Zulkifli Jantan said the increasing cases were noted in Kuching, Samarahan, Betong and Sarikei during this week.

“Do not send the children with HFMD to child care centres or any institution and limit outdoor activities, which will also help to prevent complications from haze,” he said in a statement in Kuching today.

He said there were 32 admissions for this week while 24 clusters were reported, involving 19 family clusters and five child care centres.

Four closure orders were also served to pre-school SK Tarat near Serian, Tadika Kemas Kg Maong in Kuching, Taska Permata Perpaduan Bumiko in Miri and St Francis Day Care Centre in Sarikei.

So far the cumulative number of cases were 8,142, he said.

- Bernama