GP's Must Report All HFMD Cases

Bandar Seri Begawan - All general practitioners are legally required to notify the Health Services Department of any Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases as it is a disease gazetted in the list of notifiable diseases under the Infectious Disease Order 2003, the Ministry of Health said yesterday.

Citing that 302 cases have been reported for August, the ministry said such HFMD surveillance has in fact been undertaken in the country since 1997.

Elaborating on the August figure, it said "out of the total cases seen during the month of August, majority of the cases (87%) were seen as outpatients and who recovered fully. Only 13% of the cases required-inpatient treatment".

The ministry added that in March this year the number of cases notified had increased significantly to a level which constituted an outbreak. A peak weekly figure was recorded between the March 5, 2006 and March 11, 2006 where a total of 221 cases were notified.

Although this weekly figure had dropped significantly, cases continue to be reported at a much lower level indicating continuing active disease transmission in the community.

The ministry in view that cases are still being reported, the public is reminded to continue to be vigilant, exercise precautionary measures and to work with the Ministry of Health and relevant agencies.

This can be done through practising good personal hygiene, such as washing hands with soap after going to toilet, before preparing food, after changing diapers or any household chores.

The public is also reminded to keep affected children away from crowded places like supermarkets, shopping complexes and swimming pools, to take children with HFMD to hospital or health centres and not to send them to school as the virus can spread to other children.

Siblings should refrain from playing with any affected child. The public is also required to observe personal hygiene before handling babies and small children especially when returning from work or outdoors. The public can contact the health line, 2381967 for inquiries on HFMD. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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