Indonesian Health Ministry Reports Increasing Cases of Singapore Flu

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Health reports that there has been a significant increase in cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), commonly known as ‘Singapore Flu’ in Indonesia. As of the 11th week of 2024, more than 5,000 patients have been infected with the viral disease.

Achmad Farchanny Tri Adriyanto, the ministry's director of health surveillance and quarantine, said the number reflected an increase from the same period last year. 

Tjandra Yoga Aditama, professor of pulmonology and respiratory medicine at the University of Indonesia's Faculty of Medicine, said there is no specific prevention for HFMD, but the risk of contracting it can be reduced by clean and healthy living habits, such as washing hands with soap. If the complaint is significant, you should consult the nearest health worker.

"The real name of this disease is HFMD, but it is often mistakenly called Singapore flu, it is a disease that is quite common among children and infants," said Tjandra Yoga.

He said HFMD has an incubation period of 3-7 days and is characterized by fever, skin rashes and blisters or small lumps on the soles of the feet, hands and oral mucosa. Patients tend to have loss of appetite and sore throat.

Pediatrician Edi Hartoyo said that HFMD does not cause immunity and can be re-infected when the body's immunity wanes.

"If your children are infected with Singapore flu, isolate them and avoid contact with other children as it is contagious. The infectious period is 3-5 days. "By the 7th day, he was no longer contagious, even though the lesion was in the healing stage, it is not contagious," he said.

ANTARA

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