JOHOR BARU: A total of 6,987 cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) were reported in Johor as of Saturday (June 18), says an exco member.

       State health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon this is a sharp increase from only 104 such cases during the same period last year.

       However, he said there were currently only five active HFMD outbreaks across Johor compared with 28 reported in the previous epidemiological week.

       “Of the five active outbreaks, two cases are in Johor Baru, two in Kota Tinggi and one in Batu Pahat.

       “As of Saturday, the disease had spread to 100 locations in Johor, including nurseries (42), residential areas (22), tabika (13), kindergartens (nine), preschools (seven), primary schools (three), daycare centres (two) and with the remaining two outbreaks occurring in other areas," Ling said during the state assembly sitting here on Sunday (June 19).

       He was responding to a question from Datuk Ramlee Bohani (BN - Kempas) who wanted to know what are the state government’s efforts to curb the spread of HFMD and to avoid monkeypox.

       “Apart from investigating each HFMD case and close contacts to reduce the spread of the disease, we are also increasing advocacy and awareness to the public.

       “This includes conducting briefing sessions with preschools, kindergartens, and childcare centre operators either physically or virtually,” he said.

       Ling added that 6,048 cases or 86.6% involved children aged six and below, 816 (11.7%) were children aged between seven and 12, and the remaining cases involved youngsters aged 13 and above.

       According to Ling, one of the causes contributing to the increase in HFMD cases this year was the easing of Covid-19 standard operating procedures.

       However, he said the matter is still under control in Johor.

       On monkeypox, Ling said there were no cases reported in Malaysia as of Saturday (June 18).

       “However, the Health Department is prepared to deal with the possibility of the disease entering Malaysia.

       “On top of that, a strategic plan has been developed by the Health Ministry in response to guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO),” he said.