Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease Hits the Pulse in Singapore
Spring’s latest surprise: almost a thousand new Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases have been logged since March this year. The Ministry of Health reported this uptick in a recent Straits Times roundup.
Numbers that Sprinkle the Season
- Jan 1–Apr 21: 12,309 cases this year vs. 11,016 last year.
- March‑May: the classic HFMD crescendo.
“It’s the usual boom‑and‑bust of the disease,” quipped Dr. Leong Hoe Nam, a seasoned infectious‑disease specialist. “Herd immunity dips, the next wave rolls in.”
Which Schools Are Flying in the Crowd?
The Ministry’s latest update flags four hotspots: two childcare centers and two kindergartens.
- Mindchamps Preschool, Kallang Leisure Park
- My First Skool, Eastpoint Mall
- St James Church Kindergarten
- Bedok Methodist Church Kindergarten
Mindchamps already had every child back on their feet, and a Ministry inspector has given the green light.
What Exactly is a “Cluster”?
A cluster pops up when:
- More than 10 cases surface at one location, or
- The “attack rate” (the fraction of enrolled kids who got sick) tops 13 % and the spread stretches over more than 16 days.
How Does It Sneak Up?
HFMD finds its way in via direct contact with an infected individual’s saliva, nasal fluid, stool, or rash discharge. The virus latches on in about 3–5 days, and the youngest (<5) are the most vulnerable.
Spotting the Signs
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Mouth ulcers
- Rash or tiny blisters on hands, feet, or buttocks
If your little one shows any of these, text the school or daycare straight away. A quick heads‑up helps spread awareness and keep other kids safe.
For parents, it’s a reminder to stay alert, keep your children cozy, and remember that a tiny viral flare‑up is often just a seasonal wrinkle—so, hydrate, smile, and push through it together.
