JOHOR BARU, April 15 — Twelve pupils of SJK(C) Chien Chi showed signs of hand, foot and mouth (HFM) disease after their seven-year-old schoolmate was believed to have died from the illness last Friday.

State executive councillor for health Datuk Ayub Rahmat said the 12 were referred to government clinics and their saliva samples taken for tests.

The school is in the heart of Kampung Baru Plentong, near the Plentong industrial area.

Ayub said 32 students were absent from school yesterday and health workers went to their homes to find out why.

“We want to get to the bottom of this and take precautionary measures to find out if there was indeed an outbreak. We are in control of the situation,” he said.

He said 17 schoolbus drivers were also briefed about the situation. 

The drivers were told to advise parents to keep their children home if they were unwell.

“The teachers have been advised to keep a close eye on the pupils while the health authorities are monitoring the situation.

“There is no need to press the panic button,” Ayub said.

The school remained open but its classrooms, canteen and toilets were given a good scrub by cleaners and volunteers.

On Monday, state health department chief Datuk Dr Khairy Yaakub confirmed the death of the seven-year-old after she was admitted to Sultan Ismail Hospital with symptoms of high fever, bleeding from her mouth and painful hands. 

“We cannot confirm if she died from HFM until the results of her blood tests are out,” said Dr Khairy.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said an early report showed it was not a dangerous HFMD infection.

He also said H1N1 infection in the country is under control with only one or two cases in Kuala Lumpur and several other cases throughout the country, but the ministry is treating it as a form of flu. 

Asked about the suspected infection H1N1 case involving a 10 year-old school boy in Malacca, Dr Subramaniam said the infection has yet to be confirmed.

A schoolboy from Sekolah SRJK(C) Pay Teck was suspected to have H1N1 and is now in coma at a private hospital.