Figures from the Ministry of Health showed that there have been 2,727 cases so far this year, compared to 1,791 over the same period last year.

Last week, there were 352 cases. Though fairly high, this is below the warning level of 402 cases a week.

The virus causing the current outbreak is the less virulent coxsackie strain, which can cause symptoms such as fever and sore throat, sores and ulcers in the mouth, and rashes on the buttocks, palms and soles.

HFMD affects mainly children aged 10 years and younger, and lasts about 10 days.

The only dangerous variant of the disease is caused by enterovirus-71, or EV71.

This strain killed seven children here in the last major outbreak between 2000 and 2001. It resurfaced in 2003 and again last year, but did not kill anyone.

There is currently no vaccine against HFMD viruses.

To prevent the disease from spreading, infected children are isolated.

Observing strict personal hygiene is also a must.

When contacted by The Straits Times last night, NTUC Childcare general manager Adeline Tan said it had not seen an unusual spike in the number of cases across its 39 centres so far.

In fact, the company - Singapore's largest childcare operator - was more concerned about the flu outbreak in Hong Kong.

It has issued a health alert to parents about this.

But Mrs Tan said the HFMD situation here will be monitored and measures will be stepped up if need be.

'HFMD is a common childhood disease, so we have some standard operating procedures in place to handle this,' she added.

carolynq@sph.com.sg