SIBU: The health office here has almost completed screening of children in over 70 nurseries and kindergartens for the Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), and is satisfied with the well-controlled situation.

The officers screened children for rashes on palms and soles, mouth ulcers and fever in those places, and found no fresh cases yesterday.

When contacted, the health officer was happy with the level of alertness among the parents and the operators of kindergartens and nurseries.

“Now, efforts must also involve the public to protect the community. They must step up cleanliness in their premises.”

As of 4pm yesterday, the officer said five health teams were still on the ground and had not reported back to the office. He therefore could not give the exact number of children screened yesterday.

“But, from telephone contacts while they are on the ground, there has been no fresh cases.”

From the progress of their work, he expected to finish screening all kindergartens and nurseries by today. “Next week, we shall move out to the outskirts.”

Meanwhile, a source from the hospital said 11 infected children were still warded.

“In normal cases, we require an infected child to be observed for two nights, and if his condition improves, we shall discharge him.”

He said they would then brief his parents on the proper way to handle the situation at home. “Normally, an infected child is quarantined for a week because this is the most vulnerable period for the viral transmission.”

He said personal hygiene practices like washing hands after visiting the toilet and disinfecting the homes of cough and sneeze droplets from an infected person must be observed at all times.

For the disinfectant, dilute a portion of chlorinated liquid in nine portions of water.

To fight the viral spread, the health officer said the whole community must take part.

“The operators of kindergartens and nurseries have done their part. The general practitioners are coordinating with us as well by reporting the situation in their clinic daily.

“Now, the public must step up efforts to ensure a safe and hygienic environment at home,” he added.