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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health urged the public to be vigilant against Enterovirus-71 (EV71) infection following the confirmation of a case by laboratory test today (June 16).
A spokesman for the CHP said the case involved a two-year-old boy. Laboratory tests on his throat samples collected earlier showed a positive result for EV-71 today.
The boy lives in Shenzhen. He developed fever, oral ulcers and rash over his hands and feet on June 12. He came to Hong Kong to seek medical treatment on the same day and was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital the next day. He is now in stable condition.
CHP's investigation is on-going.
There have been 54 cases of EV-71 infection reported to the CHP so far this year. There were 35, eight, 16 and 12 cases in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively.
The spokesman said EV-71 was a viral infection usually found among young children. It is also one of the causative agents for Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease.
He added that May to August is the usual peak season for HFMD and EV-71. 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 the 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 contact with other children until they have recovered.
For more information and preventive measures, people may visit the CHP's website and the "HFMD and EV-71 Daily Situation Update" at www.chp.gov.hk or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.
Ends/Monday, June 16, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:08
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