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As of Monday, 11 preschools and childcare centres have been ordered to close for 10 days due to the extent of HFMD outbreak there.
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THE number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases surged by 18 per cent, to a new high of 1,466 cases last week.
This brings the total number of reported HFMD cases to 9,026, according to an update from the Ministry of Health on Tuesday.
MOH said that 21 children needed hospitalisation last week mainly because they were not eating properly.
The seven-year-old girl, who was diagnosed with encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), has been discharged from KK Women's and Children's Hospital last Wednesday.
MOH said there have not been any other cases with serious complications from HFMD so far.
As of Monday, 11 preschools and childcare centres have been ordered to close for 10 days due to the extent of HFMD outbreak there.
Another 34 preschools and childcare centres with sustained transmission are advised to consider voluntary closure for 10 days.
Such closures will help to break HFMD transmission and allow the centres to thoroughly clean the premises.
HFMD is generally a mild and self-limiting childhood disease and there will be yearly seasonal outbreaks.
The ministry said that parents should ensure that their children:
- Wash hands with soap before eating and after going to the toilet;
- Cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing;
- Do not share eating utensils.
Parents should also regularly clean toys and other objects used by their children.
They should consult a doctor early if their child has fever, mouth ulcers and rashes on the palms, soles or buttocks.
Children with HFMD should remain at home until all the blisters have dried up. During this period, they should stay away from other children.
They also should not be brought to any public or crowded places.
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