Penang shuts 23 premises over HFMD outbreak

PETALING JAYA (July 16): Penang has closed 23 premises over an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) over the state which has left 15 people hospitalised, reported Malay Mail.

The locations that were closed to contain the spread of the illness were seven primary schools, five nurseries, eight kindergartens and three pre-schools.

Only SJKC Shih Chung was completely shut down while affected classes in the other six schools were closed.

One class was suspended in SK Sungai Bakap, while three classes in SK Saujana Indah, four classes in SJKC Sum Min 1, six classes in SJKC Phor Tay, nine classes in SJKC Sum Sun, and 11 classes in SJKC Chong Cheng were closed.

Eight more cases were reported on Saturday, raising the number of cases to 1,832 since January, according to the Penang Health Department’s daily bulletin.

This represents a 71.2% jump in cases from the same period last year.

Meanwhile, three of the 15 patients hospitalised for HFMD are being treated in Penang Hospital, while two are being treated in Seberang Jaya Hospital, one in Bukit Mertajam Hospital and the remaining nine in private hospitals throughout Penang.

HFMD is caused by viral infections of the Coxsackie A16 and Enterovirus 71 (EV71) strains that spread through the saliva, blister fluids and faeces of infected individuals.

The symptoms include fever, rashes or blisters on the palms, feet and legs, and sores in the mouth and on the tongue.