ALOR SETAR: Kedah detected 1,178 new hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) infections between May 22 to 28, says Dr Mohd Hayati Othman.

The Kedah Health Committee chairman said this marked a 49% increase, or 388 cases, from the previous week.

"Five new outbreaks were reported involving three pre-schools, one childcare centre and one kindergarten.

"Four of the premises have been ordered shut under the Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control Act 1988.

"One premises was not closed after it was found to be at low risk of infection spread," he said in a statement Monday (May 29), adding that all reported cases showed mild symptoms and were given outpatient treatment.

He said no cases had severe complications or required intensive treatment.

With this increase, the cumulative total HFMD cases in Kedah this year is 3,403 cases, an increase of 2,628 cases compared to the same period in 2019.

This year, the Kuala Muda district recorded the most cases with 785 infections (23.1% of the total); followed by Kubang Pasu, 494 cases (14.5%); Kulim, 451 cases (13.3%); and Kota Setar, 380 (11.2%).

A total of 45 HFMD outbreaks in the state were reported this year, with 44 (97.8%) occurring in early childhood care and education centers, forcing 43 premises to be temporarily closed or closed voluntarily for the purpose of sanitation and infection prevention.

In PERLIS, state Health director Dr Sirajuddin Hashim said 936 HFMD cases have been recorded since Jan 1, a ten-fold increase over the 109 cases detected in the same period in 2021.

Explaining that the department previously set the HFMD alert level at 12 cases a day and warning level at 18 cases a day, he said cases started rising above the alert level during Epidemiological Week 13 (EW13) from March 27 to April 2 with 15 cases reported and increased to warning level with 28 cases in EW14 (April 3 - 9).

"Cases escalated during EW20 (May 15-21) and EW21 (May 22-28) due to social activities during the Hari Raya celebration.

"There has been a significant rise in cases since April 2022 due to the relaxation of activities as well as full attendance at childcare centres, nurseries, kindergartens, pre-schools and schools,” he said.

To date, 10 clusters have been reported in Perlis this year, with two outbreaks still active in a nursery and a kindergarten.