Health Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar informed that the cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) are expected to fall in two to three weeks.
According to him, the spread of the disease is usually seasonal.
“When many children are exposed to the virus, their level of immunity increases. This leads to a decrease in cases.
“Besides that, intervention in terms of personal hygiene and by nurseries and childcare centres also helps to reduce the cases.
He said so to the media after attending a presentation of medical equipment at Alor Setar, Kedah today.
Khairy added that the ministry had identified the theory for the sudden increase in HFMD cases.
One of it was the reopening of kindergartens and nurseries.
“During the pandemic, children stayed indoors resulting in decreasing immunity level as they were not exposed to the virus.
In the same development, parents and guardians are urged to not send their children to kindergartens and nurseries if the young ones are displaying symptoms of HFMD.
The Director-general of the Community Development Department (Kemas), Datuk Mohamad Yasid Bidin stated that to date, a total of 105 kindergartens and 75 nurseries under Kemas nationwide have to be closed for 10 days following the spread of HFMD.
Rosli
