title: Epidemiology of diarrhoeal diseases in Singapore.
abstract: Diarrhoeal diseases in the form of bacterial food poisoning are prevalent in Singapore. Common food poisoning organisms implicated were Staphylococcus aureus, non-thypoid Salmonellae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. El tor cholera, believed to be introduced through intra-regional trade and travel, occurred sporadically with a common source outbreak, probably food-borne, in September 1978. Shigellosis and amoebiasis were mainly confined to areas where poor personal hygiene was prevalent. The incidence of enteric favers (typhoid and paratyphoid) continued to decline with 39.1% of the cases imported in 1978. Non-bacterial diarrhoeal diseases, including rotavirus, constituted 8--90% of the cases. The emergence of multiple antibiotic resistance enterobacteria which gave rise to occasional outbreaks in institutions, is a matter of concern. Control of diarrhoel diseases is directed mainly at food control and legislation and health education, backed by a high standard of environmental sanitation and a well-established system of epidemiological survelliance. The use of oral rehydration solution for the treatment of diarrhoea is being promoted.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000562:Amebiasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002771:Cholera / Q000453:epidemiology; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000453:epidemiology; D004405:Dysentery, Bacillary / Q000453:epidemiology; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010284:Paratyphoid Fever / Q000453:epidemiology; D012846:Singapore; D014435:Typhoid Fever / Q000453:epidemiology