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HFMD cases in Singapore 50 pct higher than last year

Xinhua, June 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

The number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in Singapore as of mid-June has exceeded 14,000, nearly 50 percent higher than during a similar period last year, but doctors here said 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 was quoted by TV Channel NewsAsia as saying that HFMD is a common childhood disease that is endemic to Singapore. "Increases in cases can be expected from time to time."

"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," the spokesperson added.

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 percent 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. Endi