Update on Hand Foot Mouth Disease Infections

16 Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong asked the Minister for Health (a) whether the number of Hand Foot Mouth Disease infections are on the uptrend; and (b) whether current efforts to break their transmission need to be improved.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: The reported cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) fluctuates from year to year, as shown in the table below.

MOH works closely with the Ministry of Education (MOE), Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and People’s Association (PA) to educate and assist pre-schools to curb and control the spread of HFMD. We provide guidance on personal and environmental hygiene, and inspect pre-schools with large clusters to help them identify gaps. We also provide infection control guidelines to all pre-schools, and work with them to remind parents to play their part by keeping their children home to rest if their children have symptoms of HFMD such as fever, mouth ulcers and rashes on the palms, soles or buttocks.

During the peak months this year - March to May and July to Aug – we reminded pre-schools to be more vigilant in screening children with HFMD symptoms, and ensure high personal and environmental hygiene standards. ECDA also stepped up on health visits to pre-schools with ongoing transmission.

MOH will continue to regularly review our policies and response measures with respect to the control of HFMD transmission.