The Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD)among children in the state had risen above the danger level since early April, said Negri Sembilan Health director Dr Abdul Rahim Abdullah.

He said the significant increase in the number of cases was apparent in May when there were 28 cases recorded in the second week of the month followed by the third week with 41 cases while there were 87 cases in the fourth week.

“Since the end of March, the number of weekly HFMD cases had risen above the warning level at 20 cases a week,” he said in a statement in Seremban today.

Abdul Rahim said most of the HFMD cases involved light symptoms and only required outpatient treatment, but there were cases of patients being warded for treatment.

“Complications that can occur due to infection from the disease are Meningoencephalitis and Myocarditis. Complications can lead to death.

He said preventive action and control of the HFMD cases hd been carried out in the state and letters requiring all the District Health Offices, hospitals and clinics to be wary had been issued on May 11.

- Bernama