Health Ministry: Hand, foot and mouth disease detected

THE Health Ministry said a few suspected hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) have recently been reported. It said while they did not pose a public health threat, people should be vigilant about protecting themselves and their children from the disease.

The ministry said the symptoms of HFMD are fever, loss of appetite, sore throat and a feeling of being unwell. It said painful sores would develop in the mouth a day or two after the fever starts, and a skin rash may also develop on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Sometimes rash also appears on the knees, elbows, and buttocks.

It said the symptoms usually resolve on their own within one-two weeks and are generally mild to moderate in intensity.

The ministry emphasised that HFMD was very contagious. It said the disease was easily spread from person to person through coughing; sneezing; close contact; contact with infected faeces, such as can happen when changing a diaper; and touching surfaces or objects which have been contaminated with the virus.

It encouraged parents, guardians and other members of the public to exercise good hygienic practices to reduce the spread of infection. Those include washing hands frequently and thoroughly, especially after changing diapers and after using the toilet; covering mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing; avoiding sharing eating utensils/ cups, towels etc.; keeping sick infants and children away from school and gatherings until they are well; and maintaining the cleanliness of homes, childcare centres, kindergartens and/or schools.

Other measures include cleaning dirty and/or regularly touched surfaces, including toys, doorknobs, and countertops, first with soap and water and then disinfecting them with a solution of chlorine bleach (made by adding one tablespoon of bleach to four cups of water); and avoiding close contact (eg kissing, hugging, sharing eating utensils/ cups, etc.) with people displaying symptoms of HFMD.