Drop in HFMD cases but EV71 cases up
By Hasnita A Majid, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 13 May 2008 1644 hrs

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	Related News • 1,465 cases of HFMD reported last week • Childcare centres re-open after 10-day shutdown to curb HFMD spread • Some kindergartens, childcare centres to re-open after HFMD closure • Fewer HFMD cases indicates the worst may be over

SINGAPORE : The circulation of the Enterovirus 71 (EV71) strain is still high among cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) reported in Singapore.

About 29 percent of samples tested positive for the virus as the number of HFMD cases went down by 15 percent in the week ending May 10.

The number of cases dropped to 1,246 from 1,465 in the previous week. The total number of HFMD cases reported this year is 11,736.

18 of them had to be hospitalised because they were not eating well but there were no serious complications.

Last week, six pre-schools and childcare centres were ordered to close for a period of 10 days. 19 others with sustained transmission were advised to consider voluntary closure for 10 days. - CNA /ls