'HMFD not an alarming disease'

JAKARTA (JP): The city health agency called upon the public to remain calm amid the reemergence of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), which had recently afflicted a number of children here.

"There's no need to panic over HFMD, it's not any more dangerous than chicken pox," Jessy Widiastuti, the agency's spokeswoman told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Data collected by the agency revealed that 58 cases of HFMD cases had been reported from August through to September this year, while five children had been admitted to the emergency unit.

Jessy said the health agency would have a coordination meeting on Monday to discuss the latest outbreak and their further action.

"We're not in an emergency situation here, this is not a lethal disease," she reiterated.

The health agency had been distributing leaflets containing information of HMFD, she added.

Contact with affected people should be avoided and a high level of hygiene should be maintained to prevent children from contracting the disease, the agency's brochure said.

Children who refused to eat, vomited frequently and were constantly tired should be taken to a pediatrician immediately to be checked for possible HFMD.

Several pre-school nurseries and kindergartens in Jakarta have temporarily shut down their activities for up to a week due to the outbreak.

The step is considered necessary as HFMD is highly contagious and children below 5 years old are most susceptible as they generally have a low immunity.

Separately, the deputy governor for public health affairs, Djailani, said that parents should watch their children closely to prevent them from catching the disease.

"Since children are most prone to it, it would be wise for parents to keep a close eye on them as we have identified a number of cases in the past few months," he said.

School activities need not be halted, Djailani said, although children with symptoms of the disease should not be allowed to attend school until fully cured.(06)