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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 FOR 7 OCT 00

 

The HFMD Task Force would like to remind parents and operators of childcare centres, kindergartens, enrichment centres, play groups, special schools, foreign system schools and learning centres that isolation is the key to prevent spreading of HFMD. Parents and operators of such centres can help by keeping children who are sick at home, or away from other children.

2 As a further precaution, premises in both home and child care environments should be cleaned frequently and disinfected daily. All caregivers must wash their hands frequently with soap and water after handling an infected child. To disinfect soiled items and surfaces, a bottle of disinfectant can be purchased from any retail outlet, and its contents diluted with water for use as specified in the instructions. This is sufficient to kill most infectious germs. Reducing the number of germs in a child care environment will decrease the risk of infectious disease transmission.

3 Since HFMD was made legally notifiable on 1 Oct 2000, 857 cases have been reported to the Quarantine & Epidemiology Department, with the bulk of the cases, falling ill from 1 - 4 Oct 2000. The majority of these cases would have caught the infection before the closure of the childcare centres and kindergartens, as the incubation period can be up to 5 days.

4 Of the 30 cases reported to be in hospital yesterday, 18 have been discharged. Another 13 clinically suspected HFMD cases were admitted to KKH and NUH bringing the total hospitalised cases 25 All the cases are mild and in stable condition.

5 413 people 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.

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

7 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.

8 Doctors are reminded 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.

9 We would like to inform you that there will be no updates over the weekend.

10 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

 

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

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

ENV’s website

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

MOH's website

http://www.gov.sg/moh

ISSUED ON: 7 OCT 2000

News Release No. 120/2000