Sarawak: 11th death in hand, foot & mouth disease epidemic
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Another child has died from the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in
Sarawak. The 16 month old toddler from Kpg Dagang in Marudi succumbed to the
disease at the Miri General Hospital about 11 pm yesterday [27 Jun 2006]. He
was evacuated by helicopter to the better-equipped Miri Hospital at noon on
that day, when he became critically ill. His death brings the death toll
from HFMD in the state to 11.

Deputy chief minister Tan Sri George Chan said yesterday [27 Jun 2006] the
death had dealt a setback to plans to declare the epidemic over. "Just when
we are about to declare the epidemic over, we got another death," he
lamented when contacted by phone. The last HFMD death, that of a 5 year old
girl from Kapit was on 7 May [2006].

Dr Chan, who is the state's disaster and relief management committee
chairman, said before the epidemic could be declared over, it had to
register "incident free" for 2 incubation periods, that is, about 28 days.
The "incident free" status [is defined as under 40 new cases daily and no
deaths]. With the latest death, the whole process has to be repeated again.

The disease has afflicted 10 861 children in the state, with 43 new cases
reported as of noon yesterday [27 Jun 2006], according to the daily HFMD
press release by Dr Chan. Of the 43 new cases reported yesterday, 11 were
admitted to hospitals with the rest given outpatient treatment.

Sibu has the highest number of sufferers, with 2604 cases reported, followed
by Miri with 2006 cases, Kuching (1456), Bintulu (1333), Sarikei (920), and
Mukah (770). The majority of children afflicted with the disease were under
the age of 4 [years].