5 October 2000

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

HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE: UPDATES

        Of the 33 cases reported to be in hospital yesterday, 13 have been discharged. Another 10 clinically suspected HFMD cases were admitted to KKH and NUH bringing the total hospitalised cases to 30. All the cases are mild and in stable condition. The 5 year old boy who was transferred out of intensive care to the normal ward yesterday has been discharged today.

2      Since HFMD was made legally notifiable on 1 Oct 2000, 408 cases have been reported to the Quarantine & Epidemiology Department, with the bulk of the cases, falling ill on 2 and 3 Oct 2000.

3      480 people who called the ministries' hotlines. 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      We would also like to remind doctors to refer clinically diagnosed cases of HFMD with the following signs and symptoms to the A&E Departments of KKH or NUH for further assessment by paediatricians: dehydration and inability to retain fluids, clinically ill or toxic-looking, prolonged fever, suspicion of complications of myocarditis, encephalitis, meningitis and pneumonia.

7     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: 5 OCT 2000
News Release No. 117/2000