SEREMBAN: A total of 958 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease have been recorded by the Negri Sembilan Health Department between January and April 27 this year.

       State health, environment, cooperatives and consumerism committee chairman S. Veerapan said for the 17th endemic week (ME), Seremban had the highest number of cases at 81, followed by Port Dickson (16), Tampin (13), Jempol (12), Kuala Pilah (10), Rembau (six) and Jelebu (one).

       “There are 13 HFMD epidemics (that are) still active: five in Rembau, three each in Port Dickson and Jempol, and one each in Tampin and Seremban. All involved childcare centres.

       “The large number of HFMD cases reported this year in the state is due to the reopening of the education sector and public places,” he said in a statement quoted by Bernama yesterday.

       The Health Ministry, said Veerapan, would continue with efforts to prevent the spread of HFMD besides monitoring kindergartens and childcare centres.

       He said parents or guardians should monitor the health of their children and not send them to schools or kindergartens if they have symptoms of HFMD, such as fever, ulcers in the mouth or blisters on their hands or feet.

       On May 5, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah was reported to have said there had been a significant increase in HFMD cases in the country with 22,463 cases reported up to ME 17.

       This was an increase of 12.8 times compared to the corresponding ME in 2021 at 1,752 cases.