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HFMD cases increase 17.8pct in first seven months

A total of 23,454 hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases were reported throughout the country between Jan 3 to Aug 6, an increase of 17.8 percent or 19,916 cases during the same period last year.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the average number of cases each week increased to 757 compared to 642 during the corresponding period of last year.

"Although most cases were not serious, it could spread quickly to almost 100 percent of children below the age of 10, especially in places like nurseries and kindergartens," he said in a statement today.

He added that Selangor recorded the highest number of cases at 7,471, followed by Sarawak (3,007), Johor (2,294), Kuala Lumpur (2,084), Sabah (1,535), Perak (1,361), Penang (1,357), Malacca (1,198), Negri Sembilan (889), Kedah (641), while in other states, it was less than 500.

He said three districts in Selangor had the most cases, namely Petaling (2,699), Hulu Langat (1,801) and 1,023 in Klang.

Dr Noor Hisham also said 1,885 HFMD cases were reported between July 31 and Aug 6, showing an increase of 600 cases compared to 1,285 the week before.

Medical practitioners and the public can report HFMD cases in nurseries, kindergartens and schools to the nearest district education office, he said.

- Bernama

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