MOST of the recent Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease cases between mid-February and last Saturday were caused by Enterovirus 71 (EV71), a more deadly form of the virus that causes the condition.

This emerged from a Health Ministry's surveillance after an increase in the number of HFMD cases this year, especially over the last two weeks. A total of 3,721 cases have been reported to the ministry.

HFMD is a common childhood disease caused by a group of enteroviruses. There are more than 60 strains, which include Coxsackie A16 (CA16) - the predominant one circulating in Singapore - and EV71.

EV71 is known to lead to complications such as infection of the brain, heart, and lungs. It was the circulating strain during the 2000/2001 outbreak that was responsible for over 70 deaths in Taiwan and Malaysia, and four in Singapore.

MOH is alerting all doctors to maintain high vigilance and to detect new cases early. The ministry is also working with the Education Ministry and the Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports to alert preschools and schools to step up hygiene measures and check sick children.

As there is no known cure for HFMD, doctors say preventing the spread lies in interrupting the transmission. This is done by keeping infected children away from others and observing strict hygiene.