HFMD cases 50% higher than last year
TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — The number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases as of mid-June has exceeded 14,000 — nearly 50 per cent higher than during a similar period last year. However, doctors say this is not a cause for major concern, given that most cases are relatively mild strains of the virus.
The figures saw an uptick from early April, peaking at 1,004 cases in the week of May 24 before easing off.
A Ministry of Health (MOH) spokesperson, noting that HFMD is a common childhood disease that is endemic to Singapore, said yesterday that “increases in cases can be expected from time to time”. The spokesperson added: “The predominant circulating strains this year are Coxsackieviruses Type A, which typically cause mild disease. No severe cases or deaths due to HFMD have been reported in the past three years.”
As of June 13, 14,237 HFMD cases were reported to MOH. In comparison, 9,684 cases were reported between January and June 7 last year. Of this year’s cases, 72 per cent were patients aged below seven.
“The key to controlling outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as HFMD, is the early detection and isolation of cases (children with HFMD should stay at home till they are well), and the maintenance of high levels of personal and environmental hygiene,” the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, general practitioners told TODAY they had seen slight increases in HFMD cases recently, compared with a year ago. Dr Sunil Joseph of Tayka Medical Family Clinic in Jurong said the cases he had attended to so far were “mild cases, where the strain of the virus is not too virulent”.
While several parents expressed concern over the increase in HFMD cases, they told TODAY they were confident their children’s schools could handle the matter effectively. Mr Shahrom Kamarulzaman, 36, who has a daughter in kindergarten, said: “We are trusting the school to provide us with updates on suspected HFMD cases, so we as parents can take precautions accordingly.”
Several kindergartens and childcare centres TODAY spoke to noted isolated cases of HFMD on their premises. However, they added they had protocols — such as temperature and health checks — in place, along with regular sanitisation practices.
