Experts on infectious disease from around the world are in Singapore to look at how to combat hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). The disease predominantly affects children aged five and below.

HFMD is a viral disease whose symptoms include fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers and rashes or small blisters on the palms of hands, soles and buttocks.

The participants are from Asean countries as well as China, Japan and South Korea among others. Also in attendance at the two-day workshop are representatives from the World Health Organisation, said the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in a statement Thursday.

The workshop is jointly organised by A*Star and National University of Singapore's medical faculty. It is part of a plan to strengthen Asean's public health system and its capacity to prevent, treat and control emerging infectious diseases, said the statement.