Update On Hand, Foot And Mouth Disease (HFMD) Situation In Singapore(2)

08 Apr 2008

1. The number of HFMD cases notified to MOH increased by 27% to 892 cases in the week ending 5 April 2008 from 702 in the previous week. This brings the total of notified HFMD cases to 5315. Only 5 (0.6%) cases required hospitalisation last week because of poor feeding. There has been no case admitted for serious complications so far this year.

2. MOH’s sentinel surveillance has shown higher circulation of Enterovirus 71 (EV71) virus, with 18% of the samples tested positive for EV71 so far this year.

3. The current rise in incidence is part of the normal epidemic trend which can be expected to continue in the next few weeks. This rise in reported cases is also partly caused by increasing public awareness of the disease from our public education efforts. HFMD is generally a mild and self-limiting childhood disease. However, as there is currently no specific vaccine available for HFMD and because the disease is highly infectious, the spread among children who are not immune and who have close contact with one another is inevitable. HFMD is endemic in Singapore and there will be yearly seasonal outbreaks.

Public advice

4. The Ministry would like to stress the importance of maintaining high standards of personal and environmental hygiene to minimise the risk of HFMD. Parents should ensure that their children adopt the following good practices:

• Wash hands with soap before eating and after going to the toilet;

• Cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing;

• Do not share eating utensils.

Parents should also ensure that toys or appliances that are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions should be cleaned before they are used again.

5. Parents should consult a doctor early if their child has fever, mouth ulcers and rashes on the palms, soles or buttocks. Children with HFMD should remain at home until all the blisters have dried up. During this period, contact with other children should be avoided until the child recovers. The child should not be brought to any public or crowded places. Proper hygiene should also be practiced at home so as to prevent transmission to other family members.

6. For more information on HFMD, please see the FAQs on MOH website at http://www.pqms.moh.gov.sg/apps/fcd_faqmain.aspx, or the guideline on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases in Child Care Centres / Kindergartens / Pre-School Centres here.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

8 APRIL 2008