IPOH, Malaysia: The state health department is investigating the death of a seven-year-old boy from Taiping, suspected to be Perak's first death from the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).

State Health, Environment and Human Resource Committee chairman A. Sivanesan said a report from the department yesterday stated that samples from the boy's blood and brain fluids were sent to the Institute for Medical Research laboratory on Tuesday for confirmation.

Sivanesan said the boy, Toh Guan Hee, from Taman Assamara, developed fever and rashes on his hands, feet and mouth last Friday.

The boy first received treatment at a clinic and was later moved to a private hospital, he said. When there was no improvement, he was sent to Hospital Taiping on Monday. Despite treatment, Guan Hee's condition worsened and he died at the hospital later that night.

Sivanesan said an 11-month-old girl from Taiping who was admitted to Hospital Taiping yesterday, was also suspected to have HFMD.

Between January and Oct 4, he said there were 258 confirmed HFMD cases in nine districts in Perak.