Sarawak state in eastern Malaysia has reported 19 new cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in the past 24 hours, an official said Saturday.

Among the new cases detected up to 10 a.m. local time (0200 GMT) Saturday, nine children have been hospitalized, said State Deputy Chief Minister George Chan.

There were no critically ill case, Chan said in a statement on the update the HFMD situation in the state.

Ten of the new cases were detected in Miri and the rest in Sibu, Kapit, Samarahan and Bintulu.

The latest figure brought the total number of children infected with HFMD so far to 14,392, said Chan.

The HFMD epidemic has hit Sarawak in two waves this year and claimed 13 lives.

(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2006)