Preschools reopen after HMFD outbreak

JAKARTA: Preschools closed last week due to hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) reopened on Monday, with teachers and school staff examining students for symptoms of the sickness.

The Kinderland preschool in North Jakarta, which was closed on Sept. 26 after seven affected children were discovered, had fumigated and sterilized the school building and its immediate surroundings over the course of five days and commenced activities on Monday.

"Before the children entered classes this morning, we checked their bodies for rashes and took their body temperature," said Sapta, a staff member at Kinderland.

The Pembangunan Jaya preschool in Bintaro, Tangerang, resumed activities on Friday, after closing for three days.

Two students were infected with HFMD virus at the Harapan Ibu preschool in Kebayoran Lama area, South Jakarta, and caused the school to temporarily halt activities for a week.

According to the data of the city health agency, there were 58 cases of HFMD reported from August through September, while five children were admitted to the emergency unit. -- JP