Sabah health department will also focus on pre-schoolers to tackle HFMD in the state

By Olivia Miwil - August 7, 2018 @ 3:56pm

Picture by Lano Lan/NSTP

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Health department will also focus on children outside schools to tackle hand, foot and mouth disease in the state.

As of 3pm yesterday, the state recorded 2,611 cases, with 24 schools or classes still being closed.

The highest incidence of 564 cases was reported here, followed by Beaufort (393), Penampang (258) and Sandakan (221).

Its director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi said from their records, there were also cases involving children below the age of two who did not go to school.

“These children could either get it from their schooling siblings or contracted the disease while at public places.

“Whenever we detect a case, the department will also trace others (who might have been in contact with the infected person),” she said, adding there was an increase of cases but it was not drastic.

Dr Christina was speaking after launching the World Breastfeeding Week themed” Breastfeeding:Foundation of Life” at state Federal Administrative Complex here.

As for the Avian flu incidence in Tuaran, Dr Christina said teams from the department and the Veterinary Services were monitoring the situation on a daily basis.

“The H5N1 virus affects birds but it is also zoonotic in nature (which can be transmitted to humans).

“But for now, there is no transmission to humans at Kampung Kauluan,” she said.

Meanwhile, based on global data, only 67.4 per cent of babies were successfully given exclusive breastmilk for six months while only 45 per cent managed to continue the practice up to two years.

As of today, 21 government hospitals and 94 health clinics were recognised as having baby-friendly health facilities in Sabah.

“The health department also welcomes suggestions (from Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development) to have child care centres at our workplaces.

“We are looking seriously at whether identified operators are qualified and able to fulfil criteria to provide child care services,”Dr Christina said, adding working mothers often face obstacles to practice breastfeeding upon returning to work.