SINGAPORE: Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) numbers are on the rise again, just as the disease’s seasonal March to May peak period begins.
There have been 3,302 reported cases from January till March 14 this year, 20 per cent more than the same period last year.
For the week of March 8 to 14 alone, some 511 cases have been reported – past the warning level of about 400. Most of the cases are caused by the Enterovirus 71 (EV71) strain.
At the Life Childcare Centre at Prinsep Street, teachers are on alert for any signs of the disease among the children. Temperature taking and visual checks have been increased to twice a day after two students there came down with the disease last Friday.
The three-year-old boys are now recovering at home. Another measure the centre has taken is to separate the 24 remaining children into smaller groups so that they can be better monitored for signs of the disease.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) said 88 per cent of cases so far this year involved children aged 12 and below, while eight per cent were adults aged 21 years and above.
It added that while HFMD is a common childhood disease here, there are seasonal peaks – from March to May, and August to October.
Last year, the disease hit an epidemic level, with 1,466 cases reported in a week at its peak in April.
MOH has reminded the public that the disease can be minimised by observing personal hygiene, which includes frequent hand-washing with soap and covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing. – (CNA)
