KUCHING: Sarawak is bracing for an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD)in the next few months.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said there were indications that a HFMD epidemic among young children, caused by the deadly Enterovirus 71 (EV71), would start during the Christmas and Chinese New Year period.

"We have positively identified quite a number of EV71 cases among the more than 9,000 HFMD patients in the state this year, and it seems that the three-year cycle of the disease is taking shape.

"Parents and teachers dealing with younger children, especially those attending nurseries and kindergarten, ought to be extra cautious and monitor the symptoms such as rashes, sore throat, blisters in the mouth and recurring fever," he said.

Speaking after opening the Public and Media Awareness Talk on Disaster Management and Mitigation here, Dr Chan said the authorities were closely monitoring the situation and would initiate action to contain any outbreak.
He said some kindergartens had taken proactive steps by voluntarily closing for a few days after one or two pupils contracted HFMD.

"The only way we can minimise the effects of HFMD and the EV71 virus infection is by ensuring cleanliness and hygiene at all times.

"If parents, teachers and all those concerned take heed of this advice, then we will be safe.

"Take the child to the nearest hospital when there are indications or symptoms of HFMD because your child's life could be at risk if you choose to wait."

HFMD caused by EV71 paralyses the cardiopulmonary functions of children which could result in death.

Dr Chan stressed that lives could be saved through early detection and treatment.

"But as the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. So, I'm urging the people to be more focused on cleanliness and hygiene."