ChildCare Centres, Kindergartens And Other Pre-School Institutions Scheduled For Reopening On Monday, 16 Oct 00

10 Oct 2000

JOINT PRESS RELEASE BY MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT,

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SPORTS

and MINISTRY OF EDUCATION:

The incidence of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) infection has peaked on 3rd and 4th Oct and is showing an encouraging sign of subsiding. The notifications received so far on the number of children below 5 years old with onset of illness on 3rd and 4th Oct are 170 and 155 respectively. These are children who were most likely been infected on 29 to 30 Sep, before the closure of the preschools. So far, the number with onset of illness on 5 Oct dropped to 91. While this is an encouraging sign because it showed that transmission had reduced since the closure of the pre-schools, the data also suggest that there is still transmission going on among this group of children despite the closure.

Hospitalised cases as at 5.00pm on 9 Oct 00, numbered 9, compared to 33 on 4 Oct 00. All cases are mild and in stable condition.

The Task Force, having evaluated all the data, is of the opinion that it is a bit premature to conclude that the outbreak has subsided fully.

The HFMD Taskforce will continue to monitor the situation over the next two days, and if the encouraging trend continues, all childcare centres, kindergartens, enrichment centres, play groups, special schools, foreign system schools and learning centres will re-open on Monday, 16 Oct, 00. The Taskforce will make an announcement on this on the evening of Thursday, 12 Oct.

The HFMD Task Force will consider the following before deciding to re-open these centres:

The Taskforce would like to emphasise that the continued success of breaking the transmission is dependent on one critical factor when schools are eventually reopened - parents should keep their children at home if they are unwell, or if they suspect that they could be unwell. This will prevent cross infection and possible re-emergence of HFMD clusters. Also, it would be in the interest of the sick child to stay at home and rest. This is because when a sick child has a viral infection, the child's immune system will be weakened and a secondary infection can lead to complications.

During the period of closure, childcare centres and kindergartens have taken more measures to further disinfect the centres. Teachers have been reminded to observe strictly the guidelines on hygiene and conduct checks on children, as and when they arrive for school. They have been instructed to isolate any child who appears unwell, and to contact their parents immediately for them to bring their child home. Pre-school centres are also requested to provide an area for isolating the sick children while they are waiting for their parents to bring them home or to see a doctor. This area could be an existing sick bay, the Principal's office or an available room with a comfortable rest area. Children who are unwell should not be left at the childcare centres or at the kindergartens, as there is a risk of cross-infection leading to further complications injurious to their health.

Good personal hygiene, such as washing hands before and after using the toilet, changing diapers, and preparing food is also important. Parents should ensure that their homes are clean at all times. They are also advised to consult a doctor if their children exhibit any of these symptoms: fever, lasting 2-3 days, sore throat and runny nose, mouth ulcers, rash (usually blister-like) over hands, feet and diaper areas, vomiting and diarrhoea, tiredness and weakness.

Post Mortem Findings

Post-mortem findings of the 2-year old child who died on 10 Sep showed that he had viral infection of the lungs. However, no virus has been isolated so far. The two children, who died on 30 Sep, had viral infection of both the lungs and brain. The Virology Laboratory of the Department of Pathology at the Singapore General Hospital has preliminary findings of a virus, EV 71, in the samples of one of them. In the other child, preliminary tests showed enterovirus in the samples. Further tests are being carried out.

The Taskforce will continue to monitor the situation closely. We would like to alert all parents and providers of services catering to children aged five and below, that should there be a recurrence of HFMD transmission, the Taskforce will reintroduce all necessary measures.

Those who need information on HFMD can log on to the following websites.

ENV's website

http://app.mewr.gov.sg

MOH's website

https://www.moh.gov.sg