'HMFD not an alarming disease'
'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)