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Press Release: Hand, Foot And Mouth Disease - Update

14 September 2000

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14 Sep 2000

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE BY

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT (ENV),

MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SPORTS (MCDS)

AND MINISTRY OF HEALTH (MOH)

Following the recent media stories on the incidence of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), among children attending several childcare centres, parents have become more aware of the disease. Not surprisingly, they are also very concerned. We would like to assure parents that they should not be unnecessarily alarmed.

We would like to reiterate that HFMD is a common, mild, but contagious childhood disease. Like many other childhood diseases, it is self-limiting, lasting from 5 - 7 days. Complications are rare.

Should their child develop symptoms of the disease, all they need to do is to consult the doctor and follow the doctor's instructions. They can also help limit the spread of HFMD by being alert and refraining from sending their children to a childcare centre when diagnosed with HFMD.

Current Status

As at 5.00pm today, five other childcare centres from various parts of the island have reported the incidence of HFMD at their centres over the last two weeks. (Note: List of centres is at Annex A).This involves 20 clinically diagnosed cases. This brings the total number of cases to 53 (inclusive of the 33 cases announced yesterday). None are hospitalised.

Considering the current awareness among parents, the increase in numbers is not unexpected. On the average this year, there have been about 60 cases of HFMD a week. We can expect to see more than these numbers over the next couple of days, as more parents become aware of HFMD.

Proper maintenance of hygiene and sanitation is an ongoing daily routine at all childcare centres. MCDS will work with those centres that have reported suspected cases of HFMD and advise them on the proper measures.

Members of the public who need any advice or clarification can call the following numbers: 7319758 & 7319754 (ENV), 3259220 (MOH) and 3548187 (MCDS) information on childcare centres.