Blast of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) Among School Kids in Northern Borneo State of Sabah, Malaysia
The Lowdown
Sudden increase in HFMD cases leads to school shutdown in Sabah, Malaysia
A wave of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases among school-aged youngsters in Sabah, the northern Borneo state, has compelled the short-term shuttering of five schools as per health officials.
Skimming through nearly 4,300 HFMD cases reported between January and April, close to 83% were children below 7 years, as informed by the Sabah Health Department in a recent announcement.
Sabah Health Director Maria Suleiman, an ace health crisis expert, stated that these shutdowns are all about preventing the spread by allowing extensive cleaning and disinfection of the affected premises.
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She added, "All confirmed instances have been like a walk in the park, managed as outpatients. Luckily, there hasn't been a single ICU admission or casualty."
The Backstory
The sudden spike in Sabah, along with other Malaysian regions like Penang and Kelantan, has raised eyebrows. In Penang, cases have rocketed by more than 150%, while Kelantan reports a whopping 10-fold surge in HFMD cases, with most patients experiencing mild illness.
The HFMD, common among kids under 5, can impact individuals of any age[5]. The recent cases seem to be attributed to an "immunity gap" or "immunity debt" following the COVID-19 pandemic. This theory implies that kids, R&R'ing during lockdowns and practicing heightened hygiene, were more susceptible once restrictions eased[3]. Moreover, seasonal elements and mutating virus strains could contribute to the surge in cases[3].
What's the Game Plan?
To keep the HFMD at bay, consider the following:- Chill with Cleanliness: Maintain a regular hand washing regime, and ensure thorough cleaning of surfaces and toys.- Steer Clear of Packed Places: Limit visits to crowded hangouts like shopping malls and pools.- Sanitize Childcare Facilities: Regularly sanitize childcare centers and discourage the sharing of personal items among kids.- Pay Attention to Symptoms: Watch out for red flags like fever, rashes, and mouth sores.- Health Assessments: Conduct health screenings in childcare centers to detect and isolate cases asap[3][4].
- Despite the surge in Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases among school-aged children in Sabah, thankfully, there haven't been any ICU admissions or casualties as per health officials.
- The recent spike in HFMD cases in Sabah, Penang, and Kelantan has sparked concerns as these regions have seen a significant increase, with Penang witnessing over a 150% rise and Kelantan reporting a staggering 10-fold surge.
- The Health Department in Sabah noted that almost 83% of the HFMD cases reported between January and April involved children below 7 years of age.
- The increased susceptibility of children to HFMD may be attributed to an "immunity gap" or "immunity debt" resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, during which lockdowns and heightened hygiene measures may have left them more vulnerable once restrictions eased.
- To prevent the spread of HFMD, it's essential to maintain a clean environment by washing hands regularly, cleaning surfaces and toys, and sanitizing childcare facilities.
- Another recommendation is to avoid visiting crowded places like shopping malls and pools and to discourage the sharing of personal items among kids in childcare centers.
- monitoring symptoms such as fever, rashes, and mouth sores and conducting health screenings in childcare centers to quickly detect and isolate cases is crucial for managing and preventing the spread of HFMD, and other medical-conditions like chronic diseases, neurological disorders, mental health issues, nutrition-related concerns, and fitness-and-exercise-related issues.
