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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating three cases of Enterovirus-71 (EV71) infection confirmed by laboratory tests and has urged the public to be vigilant against the disease.
A CHP spokesman said today (November 7) that the first case involved a two-year-old girl who developed fever, cough, runny nose, rash over hands and knee on October 28. She consulted private doctors and required no hospitalisation. Her three-year-old brother was confirmed to have been infected with EV71 earlier. (Press release was issued on November 5).
The second case was a four-year-old boy living in Yuen Long. He developed fever, oral ulcers and rash over hands and feet on November 3. He was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital the next day and is now in stable condition.
CHP's investigation revealed that the boy had no travel history. Five other children, comprising four boys and a girl aged from four to five, of the day centre the boy attended had similar Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (HFMD) symptoms between October 28 and November 3.
Among these five sick children, a four-year-old boy was confirmed to have been infected with EV71 earlier. (Press release was issued on November 4). The boy's seven-year-old brother was also confirmed to have been infected with EV71 today. He presented with oral ulcers and rash over hands and feet on November 1. He sought medical treatment from private doctor and no hospitalisation was required. There is no outbreak of HFMD in the school he attended.
The CHP has provided health advice to the schools these children attended and is closely monitoring the situation.
A total of 92 EV71 infection cases have been reported to CHP so far this year. There were 35, eight, 16 and 12 cases in 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/Friday, November 7, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:16
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