JOHOR BARU, May 13 -- The hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in Johor continue to rise with seven new clusters reported in the latest epidemiological week (ME).

Johor health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said there were seven new HFMD clusters, bringing the total cumulative clusters to 86 involving 30 kindergartens, 21 pre-schools, 15 childcare centres, a primary school and a private residential area.

He said 1,964 cases were recorded in ME19, against 1,687 in ME18, an increase of 16.4 per cent.

"This brings the cumulative HFMD cases this year to date to 13,415.

"Out of the figure, a majority of those affected were children aged below six with 10,773 cases, representing 80.3 per cent, followed by those aged betwee...