AN OUTBREAK OF HAND, FOOT, AND MOUTH-DISEASE IN SINGAPORE

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 60  (6) , 965-969
Abstract
Epidemiological studies were carried out during an extensive outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease caused by coxsackievirus A 16 in Singapore in 1981. Most of the cases were concentrated in densely populated public housing estates, and the morbidity rate was highest in children < 5 yr of age. The mean secondary attack rate for children 12 yr of age was 76.7% compared with an overall rate of 31.3%. The incubation period ranged from 1 to 7 days. Factors favoring the transmission of infection within a household included sharing of household and personal articles with the index case. The disease was mild and self-limiting.