JOHOR BARU: A total of 2,240 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) have been reported in Johor until the end of the 20th epidemiological week on Saturday (May 21), says Johor Health and Unity Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon.

       He said this was 22 times the number of cases during the corresponding period last year when only 101 cases were reported.

       "Currently, we have detected 14 outbreaks of the disease that are still active at several districts in Johor.

       "Nine outbreaks are in Kluang, four in Johor and one in Batu Pahat.

       "A majority of the outbreaks started at childcare centres (taska) and there are also outbreaks at kindergartens, pre-schools and houses," he said in a statement on Monday (May 23).

       He added that the majority of HFMD cases in Johor involved children aged six years old and below.

       "A total of 2,027 of cases or about 90% involve children six and below, while 184 or about 8% are those between seven and 12.

       "The remaining are children aged 13 and above," he said, adding that the relaxation of Covid-19 standard operating procedures was a possible reason for the increase in HFMD cases.

       However, Ling said the situation is still under control and urged childcare centre and pre-school operators as well as parents to take extra precautions.