Children deaths still confound doctors
Suffian Abdul RahmanPublished: Apr 19, 2001 8:27 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
There is still no consensus within the scientific community as to the causes of the recent deaths of six children in Sarawak, since January in Miri Hospital.
The six children died between mid-February and mid-March, and had suffered fever, vomiting, body weakness and fainting spells prior to their death.
At the same time, an outbreak of Hand, Foot and Mouth disease (HFMD) has been detected by the Ministry of Health, within the state, especially in Bintulu, Miri and Marudi for the last two months.
"We cannot determine the exact causes of the six deaths, as the study is ongoing, so it may or may not be due to HFMD," said Dr Andrew Kiyu, an official from the Health Department of Sarawak.
"As HFMD is a sickness with many causes. This outbreak is maybe due to the Coxsackie virus A16, enterovirus 71 (EV71), both, or even other strains of enteroviruses," he told malaysiakini today.
The public have been reassured that there have been no deaths resulting from HFMD, in spite of 482 cases of HFMD reported in Sarawak since January 2000. There were only 65 cases reported there in all of 1999.
However, Sarawak Medical Department director Dr. Yao Sik Chi told malaysiakini that the deaths of the six children had no connection with the Hand, Foot and Mouth disease.
"The six cases were related to 'something else' which required further study," he said.
Health Ministry director general Dr. Abu Bakar Sulaiman said yesterday that after studying the deaths of the children, all of whom under five years old, two showed a similar pattern to the deadly Coxsackie outbreak two years ago.
HFMD is most commonly caused by the Coxsackie virus A16; and occasionally by other strains of Coxsackie virus A or EV 71. The Coxsackie viruses are members of a group of viruses called the enteroviruses.
According to the world renowned Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, HFMD is a common illness affecting infants and children. It is characterised by fever, sores in the mouth, and a rash with blisters.
HFMD begins with a mild fever, poor appetite and frequently a sore throat. One or two days after the fever begins, sores develop in the mouth. They begin as small red spots that blister and then often become ulcers. They are usually located on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks.
The skin rash develops over one to two days with flat or raised red spots, some with blisters. The rash does not itch, and it is usually located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It may also appear on the buttocks. A person with HFMD may have only the rash or the mouth ulcers.
HFMD occurs mainly in children under 10 years old. Nevertheless, HFMD is usually not serious. According to CDC, nearly all people with HFMD recover without medical treatment. HFMD usually resolves in seven to 10 days. That is why doctors are still clueless on the deaths of the six children in Miri.
In mid-1997, an outbreak blamed on the Coxsackie virus took the lives of 31 children under five years old, with 911 treated at hospitals and clinics.
A total of 3,334 children were treated nationwide for this viral infection. The outbreak also put the country on medical alert, forcing the temporary closure of nurseries and swimming pools in Sarawak.
The six children died between mid-February and mid-March, and had suffered fever, vomiting, body weakness and fainting spells prior to their death.
At the same time, an outbreak of Hand, Foot and Mouth disease (HFMD) has been detected by the Ministry of Health, within the state, especially in Bintulu, Miri and Marudi for the last two months.
"We cannot determine the exact causes of the six deaths, as the study is ongoing, so it may or may not be due to HFMD," said Dr Andrew Kiyu, an official from the Health Department of Sarawak.
"As HFMD is a sickness with many causes. This outbreak is maybe due to the Coxsackie virus A16, enterovirus 71 (EV71), both, or even other strains of enteroviruses," he told malaysiakini today.
The public have been reassured that there have been no deaths resulting from HFMD, in spite of 482 cases of HFMD reported in Sarawak since January 2000. There were only 65 cases reported there in all of 1999.
However, Sarawak Medical Department director Dr. Yao Sik Chi told malaysiakini that the deaths of the six children had no connection with the Hand, Foot and Mouth disease.
"The six cases were related to 'something else' which required further study," he said.
Health Ministry director general Dr. Abu Bakar Sulaiman said yesterday that after studying the deaths of the children, all of whom under five years old, two showed a similar pattern to the deadly Coxsackie outbreak two years ago.
HFMD is most commonly caused by the Coxsackie virus A16; and occasionally by other strains of Coxsackie virus A or EV 71. The Coxsackie viruses are members of a group of viruses called the enteroviruses.
According to the world renowned Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, HFMD is a common illness affecting infants and children. It is characterised by fever, sores in the mouth, and a rash with blisters.
HFMD begins with a mild fever, poor appetite and frequently a sore throat. One or two days after the fever begins, sores develop in the mouth. They begin as small red spots that blister and then often become ulcers. They are usually located on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks.
The skin rash develops over one to two days with flat or raised red spots, some with blisters. The rash does not itch, and it is usually located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It may also appear on the buttocks. A person with HFMD may have only the rash or the mouth ulcers.
HFMD occurs mainly in children under 10 years old. Nevertheless, HFMD is usually not serious. According to CDC, nearly all people with HFMD recover without medical treatment. HFMD usually resolves in seven to 10 days. That is why doctors are still clueless on the deaths of the six children in Miri.
In mid-1997, an outbreak blamed on the Coxsackie virus took the lives of 31 children under five years old, with 911 treated at hospitals and clinics.
A total of 3,334 children were treated nationwide for this viral infection. The outbreak also put the country on medical alert, forcing the temporary closure of nurseries and swimming pools in Sarawak.
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