THERE has been no week-to-week increase in the number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases, with the Ministry of Health (MOH) reporting a total of 1,465 cases in the week ending May 3.

This is one short of the 1,466 cases reported the week before.

This brings the total number of reported HFMD cases this year to 10,490 so far.

MOH said 17 children with HFMD required hospitalisation last week mainly because they were eating poorly. There were no cases with serious complications.

The ministry's sentinel surveillance continues to show a high circulation of EV71 virus, with 26 per cent of the samples tested positive for EV71 so far this year. This potentially deadly strain killed seven children here during the 2000/2001 outbreak.

Last week, four preschools and childcare centres were ordered to close for a period of 10 days due to the extent of outbreak there.

18 other preschools and childcare centres with sustained transmission were advised to consider voluntary closure for 10 days.

As of Monday, MOH said a cumulative total number of 17 preschools and childcare centres have been ordered to close, and a further 48 preschools and childcare centres have been advised to consider voluntary closure.

Closure of a centre will assist in breaking the transmission of HFMD cases and allow the centre to thoroughly clean the premises.