4 October 2000

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JOINT PRESS RELEASE BY
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, AND
MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SPORTS

HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE: UPDATES

        Of the 27 cases reported to be in hospital yesterday, 7 have been discharged. Another 13 clinically suspected HFMD cases were admitted to KKH and NUH bringing the total hospitalised cases to 33. All the cases are mild and in stable condition. The 5 year old boy has been transferred out of intensive care.

2     Since HFMD was made legally notifiable on 1 Oct 2000, 229 cases have been reported to the Quarantine & Epidemiology Department, with the bulk of the cases (108), falling ill on 2 Oct 2000.

3     The number of people who called the ministries' hotlines has decreased to 396. Most of the calls still centred around when the kindergartens and other centres providing childcare and other pre-school services would be opened, and HFMD-related questions.

4     We would like to remind parents to keep their children away from crowded places. They should consult a doctor if their children have any of the following symptoms: fever lasting 2 - 3 days, sore throat and runny nose, mouth ulcers, rash (usually blister-like) over hands, feet and diaper areas, vomiting and diarrhoea, tiredness and weakness. Parents are also advised to observe good personal hygiene at home at all times.

5     Parents are advised to be alert to any worsening of their child's condition, for example refusal to eat or drink, persistent vomiting and drowsiness. If any of these are present, parents are advised to bring the child to the A&E Departments of KKH and NUH immediately.

6     Those who need any information can access ENV's/MOH's websites or call the hotlines as follows:

Ministry of the Environment:

67319184 / 67319761

ENV Hotlines:

1800-7319222
1800-4532222

Ministry of Health :

63259220
1800 - 2254122

Ministry of Community Development and Sports :

1800-2580677

(For enquiries on childcare centres)

Ministry of Education :

68722220
68796115

ENV's website

http://www.gov.sg/env/info/press/qed

MOH's website

http://www.gov.sg/moh

ISSUED ON: 4 OCT 2000
News Release No. 115/2000