JOHOR BARU: Johor recorded 6,324 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) so far this year up to Saturday (June 11), an increase of 61 times over the 104 cases in the corresponding period last year.

       There are a total of 28 active HFMD outbreaks throughout Johor at the moment, added state health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon.

       “Johor Baru recorded the highest number of cumulative cases with 2,184, or 34.5% of the total statewide.

       “This is followed by the Kluang district (841), Tangkak (700), Batu Pahat (604), Segamat (579), Kota Tinggi (478), Pontian (385), Muar (252), Kulai (204) and Mersing (97),” he said in a statement on Sunday (June 12).

       Of the 28 active outbreaks, Ling said 13 are in Johor Baru, seven in Kluang, five in Kota Tinggi and one each in Muar, Tangkak and Batu Pahat.

       “As of Saturday, a majority of the HFMD outbreaks in Johor occurred in nurseries, followed by residential areas, kindergartens, preschools, primary schools and daycare centres,” he said.

       He added that 5,509 or 87.1% of cases involved children aged six and below, 720 (11.4%) were children aged seven to 12, and the remaining cases involved children aged 13 and above.

       According to Ling, the easing of Covid-19 standard operating procedures was among the factors contributing to the rise in cases this year.

       “However, the situation is still under control in Johor and we urge childcare centres and preschool operators as well as parents to exercise caution,” he said.