 Gan Kim Yong |
Posted: 13 August 2012
SINGAPORE: The
Ministry of Health (MOH) is closely monitoring the Enterovirus 71
(EV-71) situation in Cambodia and has been in contact with Cambodian
counterparts and the World Health Organization.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong gave this assurance in a written answer in response to a parliamentary question from MP for Sengkang West Dr Lam Pin Min.
Mr Gan said all hospitals in Singapore, which provide medical services for children, have been alerted to look out for similar cases who had come from, or travelled to, Cambodia.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong gave this assurance in a written answer in response to a parliamentary question from MP for Sengkang West Dr Lam Pin Min.
Mr Gan said all hospitals in Singapore, which provide medical services for children, have been alerted to look out for similar cases who had come from, or travelled to, Cambodia.
Mr Gan said there have been no reports of such cases thus far.
He added that there have also been no reports to suggest that the EV-71 strain in Cambodia is a new, more virulent strain.
EV-71 is one of the causes of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), together with other enteroviruses such as Coxsackieviruses.
EV-71 and other enteroviruses circulate continuously in Singapore at varying levels throughout the year.
HFMD is a common childhood disease which is endemic in Sinagpore and the region.
The current main circulating strains are a mixture of Coxsackieviruses, which are the most common cause of HFMD, and are generally milder than EV-71.
Mr Gan added that as EV-71 is endemic in Singapore, MOH does not monitor specifically for the importation of EV-71.
MOH has however established local surveillance systems to monitor the prevalence of HFMD due to EV-71 and to detect new and emerging infections which could be imported through international trade and travel.
- CNA/ck
No comments:
Post a Comment