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AKARTA: The South Jakarta Health Agency has warned residents to stay alert and always maintain personal hygiene following the threat of hand, foot and mouth disease (HMFD), also known as Singapore flu, in Depok.

“We must be very careful because the virus is transmittable through the air and saliva. In addition, direct contact with infected people can be very dangerous,” the agency’s head Hakim Siregar said as quoted by beritajakarta.com on Sunday.

Hakim said the incubation period for the virus was around 2-4 days, and could result in death if infected people did not immediately receive treatment.

“If any family members suffer from high fever and have symptoms like chicken pox with rashes on the hands, bring them immediately to a hospital or health clinic,” he said.

Singapore flu is caused by the coxsakcie virus A16 and EV17. Typical symptoms include high temperature, loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and rashes on the hands, feet and inside the mouth.

To prevent the virus from spreading, Hakim suggested residents maintain personal hygiene, washing hands thoroughly after cleaning their nose, using the toilet or changing diapers. “Don’t forget to clean the nails on the hands and feet as that’s where the bacteria hides,” he said.

Those who have been infected with Singapore flu must undergo an isolation treatment. “So far we don’t have isolation rooms in health community centers, only in hospitals.”