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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 19) advised a kindergarten-cum-child care centre affected by Hand-Foot-Mouth Diseases (HFMD) to suspend classes for two weeks following the report of a new case in spite of enhanced infection control measures.
The school concerned is St. James' Settlement Kathleen McDouall Kindergarten Child Care Centre in Wan Chai. Five children developed symptoms of HFMD between June 4 and 12. Of them, a five-year-old boy was confirmed to have been infected with Enterovirus-71 (EV-71) on June 11. He was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital and was discharged. The other children affected required no hospitalisation.
The school management had stepped up cleansing measures according to CHP's advice following a visit by CHP staff on June 12. However, a new case was reported to the CHP today involving a three-year-old boy who developed similar symptoms on June 17. He is now in stable condition and did not require hospitalisation.
A CHP spokesman said that in view of the emergence of a new case after infection control measures were enhanced, the school was advised to suspend classes for two weeks from tomorrow for thorough disinfection.
"This is a measure to prevent further spreading of the diseases in the school," he said.
"CHP will closely monitor the situation. Parents are advised to pay attention to the health condition of their children, and to remind them to observe good personal and environmental hygiene."
For more information on HFMD and EV-71, people may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.
Ends/Thursday, June 19, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:31
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