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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 17) confirmed two cases of Enterovirus-71 (EV-71) infection involving a seven-year-old girl and a four-year-old boy and urged the public to be vigilant against the disease.
The girl developed symptoms of fever, oral ulcers and vesicles on her hands and feet on May 11. She sought medical treatment from a private doctor and hospitalisation was not required. She is in stable condition and the symptoms subsided.
Laboratory result of her stool specimen today confirmed EV71 infection.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the family members of the girl did not have HFMD symptoms. Five other children of the primary school in Tin Shui Wai the girl attending developed symptoms of Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (HFMD) between May 8 and 16.
They sought treatments from private doctors and none of them required hospitalisation.
The four-year-old boy developed symptoms of fever, oral ulcers and vesicles on his hands and feet on May 9. He sought medical treatment at a government out-patients clinic and hospitalisation was not required.
Laboratory result of his stool sample today confirmed EV71 infection.
Two other children and a staff member of the kindergarten in Sha Tin the boy attending also developed HFMD symptoms between May 6 and 13. None of them required hospitalisation.
A CHP spokesman said all the affected people in these two cases had been advised to stay at home for at least two weeks after all symptoms subsided.
Twenty cases of EV-71 infection have been reported to CHP so far this year. There were 35, eight, 16 and 12 cases in the years 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively.
EV-71 is a viral infection usually found among young children. It is also one of the causative agents for hand-foot-mouth disease.
A CHP spokesman said that May to August was the usual peak season for HFMD and EV71. The infection is 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.
Children suffering from the infection should stay at home and avoid contacting other children until they have recovered.
For more information, people may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.
Ends/Saturday, May 17, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:15
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