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The Sun
12-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
HFMD cases spike to nearly 100,000 nationwide by week 17
PUTRAJAYA: A total of 99,601 cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) have been reported nationwide as of Week 17 of this year (ME 17/2025). The Ministry of Health (KKM) stated that this figure represents an increase of 266 percent compared to 27,236 cases during the same period last year. According to KKM, a total of 10,421 cases (10 percent) are related to outbreaks, while 89,180 cases (90 percent) are sporadic cases. 'Cumulatively, there have been 2,649 outbreaks compared to 1,339 outbreaks in the same period in 2024, which is an increase of 49 percent. 'Of all these outbreaks, 578 occurred in daycare centers (22 percent), 480 in kindergartens (18 percent), 292 in pre-schools (11 percent), and 251 in nursery schools (9 percent),' the statement said. According to the Ministry of Health, Selangor recorded the highest number of cases at 27,118 cases (27.2 percent) followed by Johor with 9,864 cases (9.9 percent), Perak with 9,347 cases (9.4 percent), Kelantan with 7,147 cases (7.2 percent), and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya with 6,850 cases (6.9 percent). 'So far, no deaths related to HFMD have been reported,' the ministry said adding that a total of 38,285 premises were inspected nationwide involving daycare centers, kindergartens, preschools, and residential homes, with 1,140 (3 percent) premises ordered to close under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, while 430 premises (1 percent) closed voluntarily. 'In addition, a total of 220 town hall sessions and briefings have been conducted nationwide by the State Health Departments (JKN) and District Health Offices (PKD) to provide health education to curb the spread of HFMD,' the statement said. The Ministry of Health (KKM) advises parents and guardians to adopt preventive measures such as washing hands before eating and after using the toilet, as well as ensuring that toys, bathrooms, and items frequently touched by children are cleaned regularly to curb the spread of HFMD. In addition, KKM also reminds that personal items such as cups, towels, and toothbrushes should not be shared. 'Children with symptoms should seek treatment immediately and are prohibited from attending childcare centers or public places to prevent the spread of HFMD infection,' it stated.
The Star
12-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
HFMD cases more than triple compared to same period last year, says Health Ministry
PETALING JAYA: The number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases has more than tripled so far in 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, says the Health Ministry. It said there were 99,601 cases reported as of the 17th epidemiological week, a 266% increase compared to 27,236 cases during the same period last year. To date, no fatalities related to the disease have been reported. "Of the total cases this year, 10,421 cases or 10% were outbreak-related, while 90% or 89,180 cases occurred sporadically," the ministry's disease control division said in a statement on Monday (May 12). Selangor reported the highest number of HFMD cases with 27,118 cases, followed by Johor (9,864 cases); Perak (9,347); Kelantan (7,147); and Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (6,850) The division also found that 2,649 outbreaks were reported so far, an increase of 49% compared to 1,339 outbreaks during the same period in 2024. "Of these outbreaks, 578 occurred at nurseries followed by 480 outbreaks at kindergartens, government-run preschools or tabika (292) and 251 at preschools," it said. The ministry also said 38,285 premises across the country were inspected, including nurseries, kindergartens, government-run preschools, preschools and residential homes. "Of these, 1,140 premises were ordered to close under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 while 430 closed voluntarily. "In addition, 220 town-hall sessions and briefings have been conducted across the country by the state health departments (JKN) and district health offices to provide health education aimed at curbing the spread of HFMD," it said. The Health Ministry also advised parents and guardians to practice prevention measures such as washing hands before eating or after using the washroom. This includes ensuring toys, toilets and frequently used items are cleaned periodically using soap or disinfectants. "Personal items such as cups, towels and toothbrushes should not be shared. Children displaying symptoms must seek medical treatment immediately and not attend childcare centres or public places," it said. Further information on HFMD can be found at and the ministry's official Facebook page.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Traffic Talk: I-75 widening project getting more attention from FDOT on social media
Anytime you hear I-75 and widening in the same sentence, it's cause for celebration. In case you missed, it was announced in December of 2024 that relief is coming for I-75 commuter traveling between Fort Myers and Naples. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that a widening project on one of the busiest stretches of Interstate 75 in Southwest Florida will start in 2026, one year earlier than originally planned. According to the project website, the project encompasses an 18.5 mile stretch of road starting from I-75 from north of Golden Gate Parkway to south of Corkscrew Road. When finished, it is predicted by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) that the widening should reduce travel times by 47%. Also: One lane will be added in each direction with auxiliary lanes, increasing the roadway from 6 to 8 lanes. The project is part of the Florida Department of Transportation's Moving Florida Forward infrastructure initiative. Funding: $578 million Recently, FDOT has made two social media posts on its Facebook page to remind people about the project, which is still in its early stages of planning. An April 16 Facebook post said: Florida Department of Transportations' study to add more lanes to I-75 in #Collier and #Lee Counties continues to Move Florida Forward! This link was provided to the project page for more information. Two days later, a separate post appeared for the same project with another ink to the project page and this animated image of what the widening on I-75 will look like: According to the project page, the public outreach will continue into this summer and until the end of the project. Also underway is the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study, which is a comprehensive process used by FDOT to analyze and develop project, considering both engineering and environmental factors. The study determines the best location and design for a project, while also evaluating its potential social, economic, and environmental impacts. The comment threads on the FDOT Facebook posts ranged from positive to critical. Here's is some of what people are saying: Alan Parker said: People will continue to camp in the left lane. Andy Eippert Sr. said: It will be fantastic. Dennis Assanowicz said: The future would be a high speed rail. Tina Goodman said: Make HOV lanes & keep trucks in a separate lane. Need to enlarge all the narrow bridges. Patt Line said: They need to just go to 10 lanes and only screw up traffic once. By the time they are done with 8 they will need 10 anyway. Samantha Soutar said: As long as there aren't delays, bring it on! More: Estero traffic study reveals seven most dangerous intersections in village. What to know One of the most significant road construction projects in history is close to wrapping up in Lee County. The Diverging Diamond Interchange in Lee County at I-75 and Colonial Boulevard, which started way back in 2021, is in its final stages, according to Florida Department of Transportation spokesperson Jason Heironimus. FDOT was doing final walk through for the project last week and developing the final punch list. Crews will also complete any final signage installation and complete the punch list items. Mid-May is now the target for official completion of the project. Collier County's first ever DDI at Pine Ridge Road and I-75 is in its early stages of construction. According to FDOT's latest update: Motorists should expect nighttime/overnight lane closures from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Pine Ridge Road for crews to work in the median. Crews will be working on drainage installation and roadway work. Crews will be working on clearing and grubbing and installing erosion control throughout the project area. Please use caution and watch for workers and construction vehicles entering and leaving the roadway. The expected completion date is mid-2027. For more information please visit: The above activities are subject to change based on weather conditions and unforeseen underground conditions. Your emails are pouring into my inbox and I love it. Keep them coming. Remember, it's OK to vent and tell me what is driving you crazy when it comes to our traffic crisis. Of course, your observations and ideas for helping to solve the crisis are always welcome! Email anytime to mbickel@ This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: I-75 widening between Collier County and Lee County: What to know
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Advocates say cutting funding for school meals would be devastating for Maine children
Feb. 7—Hunger prevention advocates say potential changes to school meals and food assistance programs could negatively affect nearly 22,000 students and more than 75 schools in Maine. Their concerns stem from leaked documents that show the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee intends to roll back eligibility and make cuts in the programs, drastically altering how schools qualify for reimbursement for school meals and how much assistance families would receive to buy groceries. Proposals outlined in the documents target the Community Eligibility Provision, which is used by schools to measure poverty in the community to ensure they're compensated by the federal government for school meals. Maine was one of the first states to mandate free meals for all students, but these changes would mean fewer federal dollars to cover the costs, according to hunger prevention advocates. Advocates say any move that cuts benefits or makes school meals and food assistance programs more difficult to get could have a huge impact in Maine, which has the highest rate of childhood hunger in New England. One in five Maine children experiences food insecurity, according to Feeding America. "If cuts are made by rolling back CEP, it's going to be dire for these schools," said Anna Korsen, policy director for Full Plates Full Potential, which works to end childhood food insecurity in Maine. Currently, 168,528 students from 578 Maine schools participate in the National School Lunch Program, including 114 schools that participate in the CEP, according to the Maine Department of Education. Last year, the state received approximately $53 million in federal funding for school meal reimbursements. A spokesman for the state Department of Education would not comment on the potential changes to CEP because it is "a dynamic situation." Rolling back eligibility The CEP allows high-poverty schools to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications. Instead, schools are reimbursed based on data collected from other programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. According to budget reconciliation plans developed by Congressional Republicans and obtained by Politico, the Community Eligibility Provision would be rolled back to require a higher number of students in poverty in order to qualify. It would also require proof of income from families who would need to fill out the application for free meals. Currently, schools qualify for reimbursement if 25% of students receive these programs. The proposal outlined in the proposed budget would lift that to 60%, cutting $3 billion from school breakfast and lunch programs over the next decade. Requiring students to document and verify their families' income "would increase program integrity, ensuring those who receive benefits are in fact eligible and would preserve the fiscal sustainability of the program for future generations," according to the Republicans' outline. That change would result in $9 billion in savings over 10 years, according to the documents. If those changes are adopted, it would negatively impact nearly 22,000 students in Maine, Korsen said. Only four schools would remain eligible under the proposed threshold. Allison Leavitt, the nutrition director for Lisbon schools and president of the Maine School Nutrition Association, said nutrition directors are "a little nervous" about any proposed cuts that would make it harder to serve and pay for student meals. Since the state implemented free meals in 2022, more students have been served meals, reducing the stigma around eating school lunch and providing financial relief for parents, she said. "This is the first thing that's really concerned and scared me," Leavitt said. "If the federal formula changes, the state of Maine isn't going to be able to pick up the rest. It will affect quite a few schools in the state." Requiring families to fill out applications and provide income verification raises a number of concerns for nutrition directors, including the extra administrative time it would require, Leavitt said. That would mean staff would have less time to focus on cooking from scratch, training and sourcing local ingredients. It can be difficult to get families to fill out those applications — especially if they require them to submit personal financial information, Leavitt said. Chris Piercey, director of nutrition services for Auburn schools, said the district started using CEP in part because it eliminated the time schools spent getting parents to fill out applications and following up to fill in missing information. "It's a very labor-intensive and time-consuming thing," he said. "To do that for every family who would be required to fill out the application is challenging." Piercey said 40% of Auburn students live at the poverty level. Changing the CEP to 60% to qualify would result in "hard conversations" about where funding to pay for meals would come from. 'Devastating consequences' As advocates and nutrition directors monitor proposals that would impact school meals, they're also hearing about potential cuts to SNAP. "SNAP is absolutely critical. It is the first line of defense for so many households," said Korsen, the policy director at Full Plates Full Potential, noting that school meals allow SNAP recipients to stretch their benefits further by saving $165 per month per child. Alex Carter, a policy advocate with Maine Equal Justice, a nonprofit civil legal aid and economic justice organization, said SNAP has been singled out as a target by Republicans looking to reduce government spending. Her biggest concern is the idea of removing the reevaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, the formula used to calculate SNAP benefit levels. According to the documents from the Ways and Means Committee, repealing the Biden administration's 2021 expansion of the Thrifty Meal Plan would save up to $274 billion over 10 years. Other plans outlined by Republicans call for changes to work requirements for SNAP recipients, resulting in $5 billion in savings over 10 years. Carter said those changes, coupled with the rollbacks for school meals, would be "deeply unfair and dangerous." "They all have such devastating consequences, particularly for low-income people in Maine and across the country," she said. "We're balancing the budget on the backs of low-income people who are already making sacrifices." Korsen said Full Plates Full Potential has been in contact with members of Maine's congressional delegation to draw their attention to the proposed cuts and advocates' concerns about the impact of those changes. "In our state and across the country, schools are doing such important work to support the nutritional needs of children from low-income backgrounds, helping to alleviate hunger and allowing students to focus on their studies. I've been a proud advocate of extending critical flexibilities for schools and meal programs and am a strong supporter of these critical services that do so much for Maine families in need," Republican Sen. Susan Collins said in a statement. Rep. Jared Golden, D-2nd District, has been a longtime supporter of food assistance for low-income communities, but his spokesperson said it is too soon for him to comment on the proposed cuts. Leavitt said she and other school nutrition directors hope the changes to CEP don't move forward. "We know it's very early, but hopefully we can squash it where it's at and it doesn't go any further," she said. Copy the Story Link
