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Source:
www.moh.gov.sg
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Update On Hand, Foot And Mouth Disease (HFMD)
Situation In Singapore(1) |
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The number of HFMD cases has continued to
increase with 702 cases notified in the week ending 29 March 2008. This
brings the total number of cases to 4423 for the first 13 weeks of this
year. |
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MOH’s sentinel surveillance has
shown higher circulation of Enterovirus 71 (EV71) virus, with
21% of the virus isolates tested positive for EV71. |
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Of the cases notified in 2008, about 60%
occurred in children aged less than 5 years. The majority of the cases
were mild infections, only 57 (1.3%) cases required hospitalisation
because of poor feeding. |
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Measures to break chain of transmission |
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HFMD is generally a mild and self-limiting
disease. It is endemic and there will be yearly seasonal outbreaks. |
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However in view of the rising number of
cases and the circulating Enterovirus 71 strain which has been known to
cause complications occasionally, efforts are being stepped up to limit
the spread of the disease. |
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As a precautionary measure, MOH, together
with MOE and MCYS, have alerted all primary schools, kindergartens and
childcare centres to step up hygiene measures and check for sick
children. Doctors have been asked to be more vigilant in looking out for
children with HFMD symptoms and to immediately refer patients with HFMD
who have signs and symptoms of pneumonia, myocarditis, meningitis and
encephalitis to the A & E Departments of KKH or NUH for further
assessment by paediatricians. |
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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. |
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Parents should also ensure that toys or
appliances that are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions should be
cleaned before they are used again. |
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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. |
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For more information on HFMD, please see the
FAQs on MOH website at
http://www.pqms.moh.gov.sg/ , or the guideline on Prevention and
Control of Infectious Diseases in Child Care Centres / Kindergartens /
Pre-School Centres at
http://www.moh.gov.sg/. |
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
1 APRIL 2008 |
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Important
Notice |
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FrontPage Edition: Sun 6 April 2008
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