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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 29) confirmed a new case of Enterovirus-71 (EV-71) infection involving a 39-year-old woman and urged the public to be vigilant against the disease.
EV-71 is a viral infection usually found among young children. It is also one of the causative agents for hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD).
A CHP spokesman said the woman developed rash on hands and feet on September 26. She consulted a private doctor and is now in stable condition. Laboratory result of throat swab sample collected from her was positive for EV-71 today.
The womanˇ¦s three-year-old son was confirmed to have EV-71 infection on September 27. The boy has fully recovered.
The other three family members of the woman did not have any symptoms.
The spokesman said as hand-foot-mouth disease was transmitted by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, people should be vigilant against the disease and observe the following preventive measures:
* Wash hands before eating and after going to toilet and changing diapers;
* Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing;
* Maintain good ventilation;
* Thoroughly clean toys or appliances which are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions.
Parents should seek medical advice if their children develop symptoms of hand-foot-mouth disease.
Children suffering from the infection should stay at home and avoid contacting other children until they have recovered.
This is the twelfth case of EV-71 infection reported to CHP in 2007. There were 35, 8 and 16 cases of EV-71 infections reported in 2004, 2005 and 2006 respectively.
For more information, members of the public may visit the CHP's website (http://www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.
Ends/Saturday, September 29, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:46
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