HFMD cases hit record high of 1,466 last week, more centres to close
By Julia Ng/Lian Cheong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 28 April 2008 2210 hrs

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SINGAPORE: The Health Ministry says a record 1,466 cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) were reported last week.

The figure for the April 20-26 week was 17.75% higher than the previous week.

However, the daily numbers have been falling. On 22 April, there were 235 cases, but the number gradually went down to 103 as of 3pm on Monday, 28 April.

More affected childcare and pre-school centres have volunteered to close temporarily to curb the spread of HFMD.

Eight more centres will shut for 10 days from 30 April to 9 May, bringing the total number of centres on voluntary closure to 34.

Eleven other centres affected by the HFMD were ordered by the Health Ministry to shut for 10 days.

As more and more centres close their doors, some nanny services are reporting a 30% jump in business.

Agents said the demand for nanny services started going up since last month as more kids came down with HFMD.

Nannies, like Lilian Gan, are paid up to S$600 a month to look after a kid for 12 hours a day, five days a week.

But it is no easy money. With the outbreak raging on, nannies are taking extra care to maintain a high standard of hygiene and conduct regular checks on their charges for HFMD symptoms.

Lilian Gan said: "Last time, I used to clean the floor once a day. Now, I have to clean the floor two times with Dettol, and sterilise the baby bottles and wash our hands more frequently.

"In the morning, when I bathe her, I'll check her mouth and see if there's anything in the mouth, any red spots. And the fingers - got to wash in between, because she likes to put her fingers in her mouth." - CNA/ir

Click here for the list of childcare centres/pre-schools that are closed or will be shut.