A teacher checks the toes of a student for signs of hand , foot and mouth disease at a childcare centre in Singapore , 24 April 2008 . Two preschools and five child - care centres in Singapore have been told to temporarily shut down starting 24 April after outbreaks of hand , foot and mouth disease . Nearly 1 , 250 people caught the disease last week , a 25 - per - cent jump over the preceding seven days , said Health Ministry data . The new cases sent the total number afflicted to 7 , 560 since the beginning of the year . The ailment causes ulcers , rashes and blisters . The virus is transmitted through saliva , blister fluid and faeces . There is no vaccine . EPA / HOW HWEE YOUNG < 저작권자 ⓒ 2007 연 합 뉴 스 . 무단 전재 - 재 배포 금지 . >