How parents can better protect their children from HFMD
KUALA LUMPUR : The country is experiencing a significant surge in cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), with the health ministry in May reporting 99,601 cases nationwide versus 27,236 in the same period last year – a staggering
The country is experiencing a significant surge in cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), with the health ministry in May reporting 99,601 cases nationwide versus 27,236 in the same period last year – a staggering
266% increase
With young children particularly vulnerable, parents are advised to take practical measures to protect their families from this highly contagious illness.
General paediatrician Dr Ch'ng Tong Wei shares several reasons for the spike. 'HFMD tends to peak in Malaysia after the March-April heat and into the first half of the southwest monsoon wet season,' she explained. 'Warm, humid weather allows the virus to survive longer on hands, toys and surfaces.'
Crowded conditions in nurseries and kindergartens also contribute to the spread, especially among young children who frequently put their hands and toys in their mouths.
Furthermore, as Ch'ng points out, 'Covid‑era distancing left young children with fewer viral exposures. As life returned to normal, a larger pool of susceptible toddlers emerged'.
Who is most at risk?
Children under age six account for around 80% of HFMD cases in Malaysia, with toddlers aged one to three facing the highest risk owing to underdeveloped immune systems and frequent hand-to-mouth behaviour.
Most HFMD symptoms are mild, lasting between three and seven days. Symptoms include fever, mouth ulcers and blisters, and complications such as dehydration. In rare cases, viral meningitis can occur.
'If your child develops a high fever, seizures, a stiff neck, or breathing difficulties, seek emergency care immediately,' Ch'ng advised.
How it spreads
HFMD spreads through saliva, nasal discharge, blister fluid, faeces, and contaminated surfaces. In warm and damp environments, the virus can survive for days, making high-touch areas at home and in childcare settings especially risky.
At home, key contamination zones include:
stuffed animals and plastic toys;
dining tables and high chairs;
toilet handles and bathroom sinks; and
electronic devices such as tablets.
HFMD can spread easily among those in close contact, especially in situations where utensils or toys are shared. (Envato Elements pic)
In childcare facilities, pay close attention to:
shared art supplies and books;
playmats and water fountains.
Prevention
Protecting your child from HFMD doesn't require drastic changes, but it does take consistency, awareness, and a few smart habits. According to Ch'ng, prevention begins with the basics: hygiene, cleanliness, and early isolation when someone falls ill.
Here are her top recommendations for parents:
Handwashing: Wash hands with soap for at least 20 seconds, especially after diaper changes, toilet use, and before meals.
Toy rotation system: Provide a 'clean box' and a 'used box'. Disinfect used toys before putting them back in play.
Surface cleaning: Wipe down high-touch areas like doorknobs and switches daily.
Ventilate: Let in the fresh air, which helps reduce viral load in indoor spaces.
Isolate if sick: If a child is infected, avoid playdates and keep them apart from siblings as much as possible.
Parents are also advised to maintain long-term hygiene habits such as keeping children's nails trimmed and discouraging finger-sucking or nail-biting.
While the spike in cases is cause for concern, there are many easy and effective ways to safeguard children from HFMD. By combining strong hygiene practices with smart, health-forward home improvements, parents can create environments wherein children feel safe and free to thrive.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malaysian Reserve
2 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Jellyfish incident: Competition organiser did not refer to local authorities
IPOH — Yesterday's open water swimming competition at Teluk Senangin in Lumut, which saw some 40 participants being stung by jellyfish, was organised without referring to the local authorities. Perak Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Committee chairman A. Sivanesan said the organiser should have at least consulted the Malaysian Maritime Department for information regarding the jellyfish threat in the area. 'The organiser is a private company from outside Perak. We did not know about the event… even the sports and health executive committees did not know about it. 'This is a lesson to outsiders who want to organise any activities… that they must refer to the authorities. Luckily, there were no untoward incidents this time,' he told a media conference after the presentation of Fundus Camera (a specialised instrument used in ophthalmology) for eye checks at Royal Club Ipoh here today. Yesterday, it was reported that at least 40 participants of the Teluk Senangin Open Water Swim 2025 competition were injured after being stung by jellyfish and needed hospital treatment. The organiser also confirmed that the Raja Kecil Besar, Raja Azlan Muzzaffar Shah, who is the son of the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, was one of the participants who competed in the 3-kilometre men's junior 12-19 age group. Meanwhile, Sivanesan said two of the injured participants have been discharged from Manjung Hospital, while those treated as outpatients are in stable conditions. Meanwhile, event organiser – AMMJB Swimmers Event & Clinics – posted on Facebook that Raja Azlan only suffered minor injuries to his hand and is in good condition. 'He is in good condition and healthy despite a minor injury on his hand due to being stung by jellyfish. 'Any allegations that he suffered serious injuries or that can tarnish the good name of the royal institution are baseless and an attempt to cause confusion and discredit the competition,' it added in the post. — BERNAMA
Malay Mail
5 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Drug price transparency kicks in at private clinics and pharmacies, full enforcement by January 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 3 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) are implementing the drug price display initiative at private health facilities and community pharmacies in stages starting August 1. According to a joint statement by both ministries, the initiative, which was implemented under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking of Medicines) Order 2025 [P.U.(A) 141/2025] under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, began on May 1. The statement said the educational enforcement approach was implemented in the first three months ending July 31. 'During the period, 842 facilities consisting of medical clinics, dental clinics and private hospitals as well as community pharmacies were inspected and the majority of them have implemented this initiative with 57 per cent of them complying with the requirements for satisfactory drug price display,' according to the statement. In this regard, enforcement will continue in stages from August 1 through educational approach inspections and advocacy for two months until September 30 and a reminder letter may be issued in the event of non-compliance. According to the statement, starting October 1, compounds would be issued for repeat offences before full enforcement on January 1, 2026. MOH and KPDN also took note of the judicial review action filed in the High Court by seven organisations representing medical and dental practitioners and one private medical practitioner regarding the validity of Order PU (A) 141/2025. 'However, until this statement is issued, there is no court order directing the suspension of the implementation or enforcement of this order. Therefore, Order P.U.(A) 141/2025 remains valid and in force,' according to the statement. MOH and KPDN also expressed their commitment to implement the initiative in an inclusive, phased and prudent manner to ensure that its benefits are enjoyed by consumers and contribute to increasing transparency, accountability and trust in the country's health system. — Bernama
Sinar Daily
6 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
From Crisis to Collaboration: Why Harm Reduction is Malaysia's Public Health Opportunity
ALMOST two decades ago, I stood at the frontlines of Malaysia's HIV epidemic, a time when fear, stigma and silence ruled the discourse around drug use and HIV. The data was grim: some 70 per cent of new HIV infections were among people who inject drugs (PWIDs). We were losing lives, and our response was fragmented at best. We knew something had to change. What followed was bold and unprecedented. With the support of allies across the Health Ministry, civil society, law enforcement and religious leadership, we launched the Needle and Syringe Exchange Programme (NSEP) in 2006. At the time, it was politically unpopular. Critics worried it would condone drug use. But we persisted, because science and humanity demanded it. Today, the success is undeniable: HIV transmission among PWIDs and their partners has dropped dramatically. The NSEP saved lives and transformed mindsets. Yet despite this progress, the underlying policy framework that criminalises and marginalises people who use drugs remains largely intact. Malaysia's drug laws continue to emphasise punishment over rehabilitation, incarceration over care. We cannot meaningfully implement harm reduction while treating drug dependence as a moral failing or criminal offence. This is the core argument: drug policy reform is not just complementary to harm reduction, it is foundational to it. Without reforming our approach to drugs legally, institutionally and socially, our harm reduction efforts will always be constrained. We need a national paradigm shift from punitive drug control to public health-based policies. This means decriminalising personal drug use, investing in treatment and prevention services and empowering community-led initiatives. Other countries have taken this step and seen measurable public health and economic benefits. Portugal, for instance, decriminalised all drugs in 2001, and instead focused on harm reduction, treatment, and reintegration. As a result, drug-related deaths and HIV infections plummeted. Malaysia must take inspiration and adapt such evidence-based models to our context. And reform doesn't stop with laws. It requires strong political will, inter-agency collaboration and courage to lead with compassion. When we launched NSEP, success was only possible because of multisectoral alignment from theHealth Ministry to the police force, from NGOs to the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM). This is the same spirit we must reignite for wider drug policy reform. Regulation, too, is essential. Harm reduction does not mean lack of control; it demands smart, risk-proportionate governance. Whether it's opioid substitution therapy or access to safer nicotine products, clear and evidence-based regulation ensures both public safety and access to lifesaving tools. This applies directly to Malaysia's fast-evolving tobacco and vape landscape. Overregulation can drive people to unregulated markets; underregulation risks misuse and public backlash. In line with public health objectives, tax rates on vape products should be increased relative to cigarettes and heated tobacco sticks. A balanced tax framework can discourage uptake among youth, align with harm reduction goals for smokers and generate revenue for health programs. - Bernama photo for illustration purpose only The middle path, characterised by firmly regulated but widely accessible harm reduction tools, is where real progress lies. This includes decisive measures such as banning high-risk open-system vape devices prone to adulteration, while maintaining strict controls on other products. Regulation should target illicit and poorly regulated outlets through enhanced enforcement without punishing law-abiding players who operate within compliance. Enforcement initiatives like Ops Selamat Paru-Paru (Ops Selamat Papa), recently launched by the Ministry of Health, are an encouraging sign that the government recognises the urgency of the issue. However, enforcement has always been the Achilles' heel of public health in Malaysia. Raids, confiscations and press conferences make headlines, but without sustained follow-through, the illicit market adapts and continues to thrive. For enforcement to succeed, it must be systematic, consistent, and paired with structural reforms: closing loopholes in licensing, disrupting illicit supply chains, and ensuring penalties are applied evenly. Otherwise, Ops Selamat Papa risks becoming another short-lived operation rather than a lasting pillar of harm reduction. Fiscal policy has a role too. In line with public health objectives, tax rates on vape products should be increased relative to cigarettes and heated tobacco sticks. A balanced tax framework can discourage uptake among youth, align with harm reduction goals for smokers and generate revenue for health programs. Equally important is the role of the private sector. I have seen firsthand how partnerships with foundations like Yayasan Sime Darby and corporate leaders such as Sunway Group have amplified impact in the HIV and health space. With strategic backing from the Finance Ministry, the private sector can support innovation, financing, and delivery of sustainable harm reduction programs. Religious authorities, particularly in Malaysia's Islamic context, have been instrumental in reframing harm reduction as a moral obligation to protect life. Fatwas and views that support methadone programs and needle exchanges helped legitimise these interventions within the Muslim community. This synergy between faith and evidence is uniquely Malaysian and powerful. This is why I founded HUMANIZE Malaysia. We are a bridge linking corporate actors, policymakers, civil society and communities to drive sustainable change. Our mission is to humanise health, to put people, not ideology, at the centre of policy. The broader opportunity is this: harm reduction must evolve into a cornerstone of Malaysia's public health strategy not just for HIV, but also for challenges like alcohol abuse, tobacco dependence, rising sugar consumption, and synthetic drug use. Every one of these issues shares a common truth: punitive responses fail. People do not need punishment they need options, support and dignity. Across the globe, countries that embraced harm reduction and reformed outdated drug laws are saving lives, reducing crime, and cutting costs. Japan's shift to heated tobacco products has already shown public health benefits and cost savings. In New Zealand, support for safer nicotine products helped halve adult smoking rates in just five years. Malaysia can and must, be a leader in this space. We already know what works. Data-led policy. Bold political leadership. Corporate partnership. Community empowerment. Religious engagement. These are not new ideas; they are proven ingredients. But they require one thing above all: the courage to shift from criminalising to caring. Let us not wait for another epidemic to force our hand. Let's build on our past successes. Let's expand harm reduction and truly put health and humanity first. Let's humanise policy. Let's humanise health. Bakhtiar Talhah is the CEO of HUMANIZE Malaysia, Trustee of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation and former President of the Malaysian AIDS Council. The views expressed in this article are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Sinar Daily.
