HFMD infections in children aged 12 and below

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang

MP for Nee Soon GRC

Question No. 1322

To ask the Minister for Health for each year in the past five years, what is the absolute number and the percentage of (i) 7-year-old children and (ii) 12-year-old children who have contracted Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) at least once during their life.

Written Answer

1        Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a common childhood illness that is usually mild. Most children recover from HFMD on their own without treatment.  As HFMD infections are not reportable and the majority are mild, MOH does not track the number or percentage of children who have contracted HFMD at least once during their life.

2        The key to controlling the spread of HFMD is to maintain high standards of personal and environmental hygiene, and to seek medical treatment early when the child is unwell. MOH works closely with the Ministry of Education (MOE), Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and People’s Association (PA) to ensure that educational institutions, including childcare centres, remain vigilant and take measures to minimize the spread of infectious diseases.  Parents should also ensure that their children with HFMD remain at home for the duration of the illness as advised by the doctors, to prevent spread to others.