GEORGE TOWN: The spread of the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Penang has slowed with 52 and 51 cases reported last Friday and Saturday, compared with an average of 80 cases daily since the start of the month.
State Health Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin said there were classroom closures at SJK(C) Beng Teik (11), SJK(C) Kwang Hwa (nine), SK Sungai Bakap (one), SJK(C) Sun Min 1 (four), SK Saujana Indah (three) and SJK(C) Moh Gee (Pusat) (three).
“Some 30 premises, including six primary schools, seven nurseries, 10 kindergartens, six pre-school centres and one daycare, remain closed,” he said, here, today.
“Despite the marked drop in new cases, the cumulative number is still high at 2,341 as at July 21, compared with 1,099 in the same period last year.”
He said the state government did not plan to close down public playgrounds or amusement centres in malls even though they were probably the main avenues for the spread of HFMD.
“But, we will continue to conduct checks to ensure the cleanliness of these places.
“We hope the operators will clean up their premises and equipment to prevent the spread of the disease.”
HFMD, caused by Coxsackievirus A16 and Enterovirus 71, is spread through the saliva, blisters and faeces of those infected.
Symptoms include fever, rashes or blisters on the palms and feet, and ulcers in the mouth and tongue.
