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New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Health Ministry rolls out free whooping cough jabs for expectant mothers
PUTRAJAYA – The Health Ministry is now offering free tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccines – commonly known as Tdap – to pregnant Malaysian women. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said that the rollout would begin today. "There have been no cases this year. However, last year, we recorded two cases of pertussis – one child survived, the other did not. Just imagine losing a child at such a tender age – and they had not been immunised," he said at a press conference. The Tdap vaccine, which provides protection for both mother and baby, is now available at all Health Ministry facilities offering maternal and child health services. This marks an upgrade from the ministry's previous vaccination programme for expectant mothers, which only covered tetanus. The Tdap vaccine is strongly recommended for pregnant women between the 28th and 32nd week of pregnancy. Dzulkefly also warned that vaccine refusal could result in the resurgence of diseases that are now rarely seen. "The ministry has received reports of diphtheria, polio, and measles. If we can secure the support and cooperation of parents, we can sustain herd immunity," he said. Despite rising misinformation and disinformation online regarding vaccines, 95 per cent of children in Malaysia have received full immunisation in accordance with the National Immunisation Programme guidelines issued by the ministry. "It's not just about preventing disease – it's about preventing death," he added. As of yesterday, 97,355 senior citizens with chronic conditions have benefited from the ministry's free influenza vaccination programme, which began on 18 February this year. On a separate matter, Dzulkefly said the ministry's preparedness to respond to a recent rise in Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) and Covid-19 cases in Malaysia, in light of similar surges in neighbouring countries.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
HFMD situation in Selangor under control, showing signs of recovery
SHAH ALAM: The hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) situation in Selangor is under control and showing early signs of recovery following coordinated control measures. State Public Health and Environment Committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said Selangor recorded 39,233 HFMD cases as of Epidemiological Week 19 (EW19/2025), which ended on May 10. She noted a significant rise in cases between EW1 5 and EW19, particularly after the first week of the Aidilfitri celebration. 'This increase is attributed to more active movement of people, social visits, close interactions among children in crowded settings such as relatives' homes, and the sharing of food and toys. 'Another factor is the lax screening at childcare facilities, which has hampered efforts to detect and isolate symptomatic children,' she said in a statement today. Jamaliah added that nine cases involving the Enterovirus 71 (EV71) variant were reported - seven in Sabak Bernam and two in Hulu Langat. One patient in Sabak Bernam was hospitalised and has since fully recovered, while the others received outpatient treatment. She said most HFMD clusters occurred in childcare and early education centres, including nurseries, kindergartens, preschools and tuition centres (42.8 per cent), followed by primary schools (five per cent), day care centres (three per cent), and secondary schools (0.2 per cent). The remaining 49 per cent were home-based. As of EW 19, a total of 627 premises were closed - 192 voluntarily and 435 under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342). 'Voluntary closures involved 63 nurseries, 81 kindergartens, 25 government-run preschools (tabika), 15 preschools, one care centre, six primary schools and one other premises. 'Enforced closures included 168 nurseries, 157 kindergartens, 69 tabika, 29 preschools, two care centres and 10 primary schools,' she said. Jamaliah said the Selangor Health Department has instructed for increased sample collection, especially at institutions and among hospitalised patients, to improve monitoring and detection of virus variants. She advised parents not to send symptomatic children to care or educational centres and to ensure they remain at home until fully recovered to prevent further transmission. Operators of early childhood education centres are also urged to refuse entry to symptomatic children, conduct health screenings at entry points and maintain a high level of hygiene. She added that the state government, through the Public Health Committee, will distribute educational materials on HFMD, including information on symptoms and preventive measures, to nurseries and kindergartens in high-incidence areas. 'This initiative aims to strengthen community awareness and preparedness. The state government remains committed to working closely with the Selangor Health Department and all relevant agencies to control the outbreak effectively,' she said.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Selangor HFMD cases under control, signs of recovery
SHAH ALAM: The hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) situation in Selangor is under control and showing early signs of recovery following coordinated control measures. State Public Health and Environment Committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said Selangor recorded 39,233 HFMD cases as of Epidemiological Week 19 (EW19/2025), which ended on May 10. She noted a significant rise in cases between EW1 5 and EW19, particularly after the first week of the Aidilfitri celebration. 'This increase is attributed to more active movement of people, social visits, close interactions among children in crowded settings such as relatives' homes, and the sharing of food and toys. 'Another factor is the lax screening at childcare facilities, which has hampered efforts to detect and isolate symptomatic children,' she said in a statement today. Jamaliah added that nine cases involving the Enterovirus 71 (EV71) variant were reported - seven in Sabak Bernam and two in Hulu Langat. One patient in Sabak Bernam was hospitalised and has since fully recovered, while the others received outpatient treatment. She said most HFMD clusters occurred in childcare and early education centres, including nurseries, kindergartens, preschools and tuition centres (42.8 per cent), followed by primary schools (five per cent), day care centres (three per cent), and secondary schools (0.2 per cent). The remaining 49 per cent were home-based. As of EW 19, a total of 627 premises were closed - 192 voluntarily and 435 under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342). 'Voluntary closures involved 63 nurseries, 81 kindergartens, 25 government-run preschools (tabika), 15 preschools, one care centre, six primary schools and one other premises. 'Enforced closures included 168 nurseries, 157 kindergartens, 69 tabika, 29 preschools, two care centres and 10 primary schools,' she said. Jamaliah said the Selangor Health Department has instructed for increased sample collection, especially at institutions and among hospitalised patients, to improve monitoring and detection of virus variants. She advised parents not to send symptomatic children to care or educational centres and to ensure they remain at home until fully recovered to prevent further transmission. Operators of early childhood education centres are also urged to refuse entry to symptomatic children, conduct health screenings at entry points and maintain a high level of hygiene. She added that the state government, through the Public Health Committee, will distribute educational materials on HFMD, including information on symptoms and preventive measures, to nurseries and kindergartens in high-incidence areas. 'This initiative aims to strengthen community awareness and preparedness. The state government remains committed to working closely with the Selangor Health Department and all relevant agencies to control the outbreak effectively,' she said.
Malay Mail
22-05-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
HFMD situation in Selangor under control, early signs of recovery seen, says state exco
SHAH ALAM, May 22 — The hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) situation in Selangor is under control and showing early signs of recovery following coordinated control measures. State Public Health and Environment Committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said Selangor recorded 39,233 HFMD cases as of Epidemiological Week 19 (EW19/2025), which ended on May 10. She noted a significant rise in cases between EW1 5 and EW19, particularly after the first week of the Aidilfitri celebration. 'This increase is attributed to more active movement of people, social visits, close interactions among children in crowded settings such as relatives' homes, and the sharing of food and toys. 'Another factor is the lax screening at childcare facilities, which has hampered efforts to detect and isolate symptomatic children,' she said in a statement today. Jamaliah added that nine cases involving the Enterovirus 71 (EV71) variant were reported - seven in Sabak Bernam and two in Hulu Langat. One patient in Sabak Bernam was hospitalised and has since fully recovered, while the others received outpatient treatment. She said most HFMD clusters occurred in childcare and early education centres, including nurseries, kindergartens, preschools and tuition centres (42.8 per cent), followed by primary schools (5 per cent), day care centres (3 per cent), and secondary schools (0.2 per cent). The remaining 49 per cent were home-based. As of EW 19, a total of 627 premises were closed - 192 voluntarily and 435 under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342). 'Voluntary closures involved 63 nurseries, 81 kindergartens, 25 government-run preschools (tabika), 15 preschools, one care centre, six primary schools and one other premises. 'Enforced closures included 168 nurseries, 157 kindergartens, 69 tabika, 29 preschools, two care centres and 10 primary schools,' she said. Jamaliah said the Selangor Health Department has instructed for increased sample collection, especially at institutions and among hospitalised patients, to improve monitoring and detection of virus variants. She advised parents not to send symptomatic children to care or educational centres and to ensure they remain at home until fully recovered to prevent further transmission. Operators of early childhood education centres are also urged to refuse entry to symptomatic children, conduct health screenings at entry points and maintain a high level of hygiene. She added that the state government, through the Public Health Committee, will distribute educational materials on HFMD, including information on symptoms and preventive measures, to nurseries and kindergartens in high-incidence areas. 'This initiative aims to strengthen community awareness and preparedness. The state government remains committed to working closely with the Selangor Health Department and all relevant agencies to control the outbreak effectively,' she said. — Bernama
The Star
20-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Childcare centres and kindies urged to do HFMD screenings
PUTRAJAYA: Childcare centre and kindergarten operators have been urged to screen children upon entry, to help curb the spread of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said cooperation from childcare centre and kindergarten operators in conducting screenings, including monitoring for signs of infection on children's hands, feet and mouth, is crucial to preventing further spread of the disease. 'We advise the public not to panic, as preventative measures are actively being implemented and we already have comprehensive guidelines in place. 'What we need now is community cooperation, especially from childcare centre and kindergarten operators who are at higher risk of HFMD exposure, to at least carry out basic screenings,' he told reporters after launching the Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) Management of Erectile Dysfunction here yesterday. Lukanisman also stressed that parents must practise preventative measures and closely monitor their children to ensure they are not infected with HFMD. 'Early screening can help prevent the infection from spreading to other children,' he said, Bernama reported. On May 12, Health Ministry reported that as of April 26, a total of 99,601 HFMD cases were recorded nationwide, marking a 266% increase from 27,236 cases during the same period last year. It said 10,421 cases, or 10%, were linked to outbreaks, while the remaining 89,180 cases occurred sporadically. The ministry also said that five states recorded the highest number of cases: Selangor (27.2%), followed by Johor (9.9%), Perak (9.4%), Kelantan (7.2%), and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (6.9%). Regarding the claim of a potential increase of up to 30% in treatment charges at private hospitals and clinics, Lukanisman said the ministry would investigate the matter.
