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RE-OPENING OF KINDERGARTENS AND CHILDCARE CENTRES:
EARLIEST POSSIBILITY IS ON THURSDAY 12 OCT 00

        The earliest date that all childcare centres, kindergartens, enrichment centres, play groups, special schools, foreign system schools and learning centres which cater to children aged five years and below can expect to be re-opened is Thursday, 12 Oct 00.

2     The decision as to whether the centres will be re-opened on Thursday will depend on the Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) Taskforce's assessment on whether the transmission of HFMD has been interrupted. This will be decided based on the following criteria:

1. The incidence of HFMD infection among 5 year olds and below has dropped since the closure
2. No new complicated HFMD cases are identified
3. No more deaths related to HFMD.

3     The HFMD Taskforce will be monitoring the situation closely and an announcement will be made on Tuesday, 10 Oct 00 regarding the date of the re-opening of the centres. It is important that the chain of transmission is broken before the centres can be re-opened, and in this respect, the Task Force appeals to everyone to co-operate by not bringing their children to crowded places.

UPDATE ON HFMD CASES

4     Of the 30 cases reported to be in hospital yesterday, 16 have been discharged. Another 16 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.

5     Since HFMD was made legally notifiable on 1 Oct 00, 641 cases have been reported to the Quarantine & Epidemiology Department, with the bulk of the cases, falling ill on 2 and 3 Oct 2000. To facilitate investigations and enable control measures to be taken quickly, all doctors are reminded to continue notifying immediately all cases of HFMD by fax, phone or email to:

The Commissioner of Public Health
Fax: 67348287
Tel: 67319760, 67319761, 67319758
Email:  GOH_eng_seng@env.gov.sg

6      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 advised to observe good personal hygiene at home at all times. Parents are also 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.

7     The HFMD Taskforce would like to inform all visitors to Singapore that travel to Singapore is safe. The HFMD is a common childhood disease that transmits among children five years and below who are in close proximity of each other.

8     Those who need any information can call the following Hotlines:

Ministry of the Environment:

67319184 / 67319761

ENV Hotlines:

1800-7319222
 
1800-4532222

Ministry of Health :

632592201
800 - 2254122

Ministry of Community Development and Sports :

1800-2580677

(For enquiries on childcare centres)

Ministry of Education :

68722220 
68796115

All these hotlines will be operational on Saturday and Sunday, from 8.30am - 6.00pm.

Information on HFMD can be also be found on the following two websites:

ENV's website

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

MOH's website

http://www.gov.sg/moh

ISSUED ON: 6 OCT 00
News Release No. 119/2000