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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health confirmed a case of Enterovirus-71 (EV71) infection and urged the public to be vigilant against the disease.
A CHP spokesman said today (November 1) that the case affected a 4-year-old girl living in Tuen Mun. The girl developed oral ulcers as well as rashes and vesicles over hands and feet on October 28. Her parents took her to a private doctor for treatment on October 29. She is now in stable condition and no hospitalization is required.
Laboratory results of her stool specimens yielded positive results for EV71.
CHP's investigation revealed that the girl had no travel history. The kindergarten she attended did not have any report of outbreak of Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (HFMD). The family members of the girls had no HFMD symptoms.
A total of 87 EV71 infection cases 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.
For more information, the public may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.
Ends/Saturday, November 1, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:19
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