Number of new HFMD cases soars past epidemic levels
By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 05 September 2008 2352 hrs
SINGAPORE :
The number of new hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in Singapore has reached epidemic levels for the first time since June this year.
This comes at a time when kindergartens are gearing up for a spike in cases when the new school term begins on Monday.
But doctors said that often it is the lack of proper hygiene at home that helps spread the disease.
HFMD is a common childhood infection, which typically sees two peaks each year.
617 new cases were reported last week - breaking the epidemic threshold of 565 cases. But this is below the numbers seen in the previous seasonal epidemic between March and May, which saw 1,466 new cases a week at its height.
Experts differ on how much impact the September holidays will have on infection rates.
The Health Ministry said that the one-week break might provide some relief, but some doctors think the time away from school may be too short to have a large effect. Furthermore, childcare centres continue to operate as usual during this time.
But with classes due to reopen on Monday, the PAP Community Foundation kindergarten in Woodlands Avenue 6 is taking no chances. Aside from increasing the frequency of checks, it also teaches its kids to look out for ulcers and sores on the palms, soles and buttocks.
Veronica Tee, administrator, PCF Sembawang, said: "The children already know that when they do feel unwell during class time, they need to let the teacher know. And we have also put in an added measure recently - by doing another check mid-way during class."
During an outbreak, kindergartens and childcare centres will minimise outdoor excursions and intermingling between children of different age groups.
Cherie Hearts, which operates a chain of 30 childcare centres here, said that it will also rope in healthy adult volunteers to help take care of children should its centres have to shut down.
It said this would help ease the load of those working parents who have difficulty taking leave.
NTUC Childcare said it provides hand sanitisers for visitors throughout the year.
Hand hygiene is also stressed at all centres, but some doctors said that not enough is being done at home.
Dr Thoon Koh Cheng, Department of Paediatric Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, said: "Strict hand hygiene is probably still overlooked. People let down their guard when the child is well, and when the child becomes sick, people let down their guard again by allowing them to go back to childcare centres and kindergartens when they are just on the brink of recovery."
One factor that could account for the rise in cases is the weather. The theory goes that during rainy weather, people tend to stay indoors, and this makes it easier for viruses to spread. - CNA/ms
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By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 05 September 2008 2352 hrs
SINGAPORE :
The number of new hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in Singapore has reached epidemic levels for the first time since June this year.
This comes at a time when kindergartens are gearing up for a spike in cases when the new school term begins on Monday.
But doctors said that often it is the lack of proper hygiene at home that helps spread the disease.
HFMD is a common childhood infection, which typically sees two peaks each year.
617 new cases were reported last week - breaking the epidemic threshold of 565 cases. But this is below the numbers seen in the previous seasonal epidemic between March and May, which saw 1,466 new cases a week at its height.
Experts differ on how much impact the September holidays will have on infection rates.
The Health Ministry said that the one-week break might provide some relief, but some doctors think the time away from school may be too short to have a large effect. Furthermore, childcare centres continue to operate as usual during this time.
But with classes due to reopen on Monday, the PAP Community Foundation kindergarten in Woodlands Avenue 6 is taking no chances. Aside from increasing the frequency of checks, it also teaches its kids to look out for ulcers and sores on the palms, soles and buttocks.
Veronica Tee, administrator, PCF Sembawang, said: "The children already know that when they do feel unwell during class time, they need to let the teacher know. And we have also put in an added measure recently - by doing another check mid-way during class."
During an outbreak, kindergartens and childcare centres will minimise outdoor excursions and intermingling between children of different age groups.
Cherie Hearts, which operates a chain of 30 childcare centres here, said that it will also rope in healthy adult volunteers to help take care of children should its centres have to shut down.
It said this would help ease the load of those working parents who have difficulty taking leave.
NTUC Childcare said it provides hand sanitisers for visitors throughout the year.
Hand hygiene is also stressed at all centres, but some doctors said that not enough is being done at home.
Dr Thoon Koh Cheng, Department of Paediatric Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, said: "Strict hand hygiene is probably still overlooked. People let down their guard when the child is well, and when the child becomes sick, people let down their guard again by allowing them to go back to childcare centres and kindergartens when they are just on the brink of recovery."
One factor that could account for the rise in cases is the weather. The theory goes that during rainy weather, people tend to stay indoors, and this makes it easier for viruses to spread. - CNA/ms
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