Hand, foot and mouth disease outbreak looms in Singapore: report

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

SINGAPORE (AFP) — An outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is looming in Singapore, the Straits Times reported Saturday quoting health ministry officials.

The newspaper said 553 people became infected with the virus last week, up from 415 the previous week and just 12 fewer than the health ministry's official epidemic threshold.

Health officials were quoted as saying the numbers are likely to increase between now and October, traditionally a peak period for the disease, which usually affects children.

A three-year-old boy died at a local hospital earlier this month from a severe form of HFMD. The paper said it was the first death in Singapore since a major outbreak of HFMD from 2000 to 2001 killed seven children.

Victims exhibit symptoms...