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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a confirmed case of Enterovirus-71 (EV71) infection and urged the public to be vigilant against the disease.
A CHP spokesman said today (November 18) that the case involved a 2-year-old boy who lived on the Mainland. He developed rash on his hands on November 11 and sought medical treatment at a hospital in Shenzhen.
He came to Hong Kong on November 15 and was admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital the same day. He is in stable condition.
Laboratory results of his specimens yielded positive results for EV71.
A total of 95 EV71 infection cases have been reported to CHP so far this year. There were 35, eight, 16 and 12 cases in the 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively.
For more information, people may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.
Ends/Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:42
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