GEORGE TOWN, April 18 -- Penang has seen a spike in hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) by recording 579 new cases between April 6 and 12, an increase of 353 cases compared to the previous week.

State health committee chairman Daniel Gooi said four new clusters were also reported in the same period.

"We believe the increase in cases were after the recent Aidilfitri holiday season," he said in a statement released today.

This year, Penang has seen a 421 per cent increase in HFMD cases as at April 12 when compared to the same period last year.

A total 4,585 cases were reported between January 1 and April 12 this year compared to only 879 cases for the same period last year.

Gooi said Central Seberang Perai recorded the highest number o...