Although fewer cases of the hand, foot and mouth disease have been reported in Sarawak in the last few days, its anti-measures must continue with vigilance, the state Second Finance Minister Wong Soon Koh said today.

Speaking in Sibu when launching the Sibu Anti-HFMD Awareness Campaign organised jointly by the Sibu Municipal Council and the Divisional Medical Department, he said it was important that the campaign be continued as a community-based preventive measure.

According to a Bernama report, Wong attributed the recent drop in the number of HFMD cases to the dedication, commitment and sacrifices of the medical and education departments as well as efforts of the local authorities.

Job well done

The minister extended his thanks to all concerned, including the teams of doctors, nurses and other hospital staff for a job well done.

In his speech, Assistant Public Health Minister Dr Soon Choon Teck said that as of yesterday, there were a total of 5,329 cases of HFMD in the state, of which 2,074 were in Sibu, with 335 admissions and eight deaths.

He said the disease was now under control although it was spreading to the rural areas.