By Kevin Lim

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore is on the verge of a hand, foot and mouth disease outbreak, the Straits Times reported on Saturday, quoting government health officials.

The paper said 553 people were afflicted with the virus last week, up from 415 the week before. Last week's figure was just 12 fewer than the Health Ministry's official "epidemic level".

Hand, foot and mouth disease, which is treatable, usually affects children and causes fever and rashes on the hands, feet and buttocks. A three-year child died earlier this month in the city-state.

The disease has this year killed 44 people in China, 10 in Taiwan and 11 in Vietnam.