The endemicity phenomenon has taken over the world by storm. On social media platforms, we see throngs of people at airport with luggage bags in tow, heading to their next much-awaited vacation. In the Central Business District, white-collar employees march into their offices, carrying briefcases and tumblers of coffee, while rushing to get into the next available elevator. At kindergarten and schools, busy parents and transport providers are queuing up in full force for school drop-offs and pick-ups. These activities point to the fact that we have embraced the normalcy post-Covid-19.
With our school-going children now returning full-time to school and co-curricular activities, there is another infectious disease that is currently spreading like wildfire – the much-talked about Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, or better known as HFMD. HFMD is caused by the Enterovirus with most cases caused by Coxsackie Virus A16 and Enterovirus 71 (EV71). *It is a common infection that occurs most often in children but can also occur in adolescents and occasionally in adults. For most cases, the disease poses mild symptoms which include fever, sores in the mouth, loss of appetite and a rash with blisters on hands, feet and buttocks.
HFMD has some similarities to Covid-19, whereby it is spread through close personal contact, discharge of nasal mucus or saliva through sneezing or coughing and touching of objects that have been contaminated with the virus. **The Health Ministry reported that Malaysia has a total of 71,471 HFMD cases as of 30th May 2022, with an increase of 28 times the cases compared to the same period in 2021. 91% of the cases involved children aged 6 years and above. While it is important that parents instill the habit of good hygiene in their children, pre-school and kindergarten operators are also urged to follow similar Covid-19 SOPs for children under their care and conduct regular cleaning and disinfecting of their premises.
Parents should constantly remind their children to:
- Always wash their hands with soap and water after utilizing the bathroom or before eating. If soap and water are not available, it is best to equip young children with alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
- Cover their noses and mouths with tissues or handkerchiefs when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid crowded places.
- Not share eating utensils with their friends.
With over four decades of experience in the cleaning and disinfection industry, Maclean is ready to create bespoke solutions to cater to the needs of different premises. Our team acquired vast experience serving our clients during the SARS epidemic (2002), the H1N1 outbreak (2009) and the most recent Covid-19 pandemic (2020), hence we are well-equipped with managing the outbreak of diseases caused by viruses. When it comes to pre-schools and kindergartens, it is of utmost importance that surfaces are first cleaned using soap and water before using disinfectant to reduce the number of germs, bacteria and impurities. This is because toddlers and young children may not be able to follow the teachers’ instructions properly and they often share toys and books at these centers.
While we cannot fully avoid the transmissions of these viruses, we need to stay vigilant and to continue practicing good hygiene. Maclean provides high-quality industrial cleaning that can be tailor-made specifically for each premises and its functions. As a responsible commercial cleaning company, we will continue practising our 3R brand promise which is to be Reliable, Responsive and Resourceful.
Should you have any enquiries or require any information regarding our cleaning services and support, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. Please feel free to contact us at 03-7773 0300 or enquire@maclean.com.my.
References:
1. https://www.who.int/westernpacific/emergencies/surveillance/archives/hand-foot-and-mouth-disease
2. https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/06/801433/hfmd-28-fold-increase-compared-same-period-last-year