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GEORGE TOWN: The better-off families of Penang, who traveled with their children during the school holidays last month, sparked the state-wide outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD).
Afif Bahardin stated that children who were much more exposed to human contact during the school holidays last month returned with the HFMD and passed it on to other children when they returned to their schools or daycares
. After the past school holidays, only this time there is an extremely high increase, "he said at a press conference yesterday.
By revealing the latest statistics on the epidemic, Dr. Afif said the spread of the disease was now beyond the level of danger and is spreading rapidly in the richer Northeast District of the island.
Of the 2,170 cases recorded this year – a increase of 100.2% compared to the same period last year – 1,090 cases are in the North-East District with areas such as George Town, Pulau Tikus, Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi. [19659006Ontheotherhandthereareonly65casesreportedinruralareasofNorthSeberangPraiand235and327SouthSeberangPrairespectively
In the southwestern district of the island which includes Balik Pulau, 453 cases have been found
Dr. Afif clarified that the number of cases was higher than that of last year in all districts
the state health department ordered the closure of schools for 10 days last week, only the Chinese vernacular schools and an international school were closed.
In a vernacular primary school, 11 classrooms were closed. Public health inspectors found 52 students infected with the HFMD virus in the island near Bayan Lepas.
In contrast, a national-type school in the rural area of Sungai Bakap south of Seberang Prai has been ordered to close. The class after two children have caught the disease.
On Wednesday, only two national-type schools out of seven schools were closed. Seven preschools, nine nurseries, 11 kindergartens and a daycare center also served their closing orders from Wednesday.
The number of HFMD infection clusters in Penang is 1172% higher at 97 compared with just eight last year.
Afif pointed out that the disease is self-limiting and that patients recover with adequate time and rest.
He shot down a WhatsApp message that had spread and panicked among the parents by falsely claiming that the disease had killed a child in Penang.
"There has been no deaths due to HFMD.This is not life threatening.But it is painful for children and they might have to be protected because of neurological complications due to a high fever.
"The state checks every day in schools and daycares because the disease causes a loss of manpower. productivity when parents have to take time off to care for and quarantine sick children at home.
See also:
The school reopens but parents keep children at home
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