KOTA KINABALU: Despite cases showing a downward trend in the state, parents and early education centres in Sabah have been urged to be vigilant against hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).
Sabah Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said the state had recorded a cumulative 4,604 cases.
He added that 91% of the cases involved pupils below 12 years old.
“Considering schools will reopen next week, I advise parents to educate their young children to always maintain self-hygiene, like regularly washing their hands at school.
“I have also asked teachers and parent-teacher associations (PTAs) to always be alert to developments surrounding HFMD cases in Sabah,” added Shahelmey, who is also in charge of health matters.
On Friday, Sabah health director Datuk Dr Rose Nani Mudin said HFMD was under control.
She said no deaths had been reported to date, with most cases occurring in private residences and early education centres.
On this note, Shahelmey called on such centres to continuously keep the school environment clean and implement measures to monitor their pupils for the disease.
“The centres must isolate children immediately if any of them has symptoms while in school, so the virus does not spread,” he said.