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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 24) called on people to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) following an outbreak of the disease in a primary school in Kwun Tong involving 20 students.
The affected children, aged between six and 11 years, came from 10 different classes. They developed fever, mouth ulcers and vesicular rash over hands or feet starting from October 25.
Eighteen of them consulted private doctors or sought treatment at general out-patient clinics while one attended the Accident & Emergency Department of United Christian Hospital. They are in stable condition. Another child was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital and has been discharged.
Laboratory test of her stool samples was positive for group A Coxsackie virus.
A CHP spokesman said CHP staff had paid site visits to the school and provided health advice to the management.
He said Coxsackie virus was one of the most common agents causing HFMD. It is mainly transmitted by the faecal-oral route. Direct contact with open and weeping skin vesicles may also spread the virus.
"In most cases, the fever, rash and ulcers subside spontaneously in one week and full recovery is usual. Complications are uncommon. Rarely, this illness may be associated with viral meningitis.
"Parents are, therefore, advised to seek prompt medical attention if their children develop a high fever, decrease in alertness or deterioration of general condition," the spokesman said.
To prevent HFMD, members of the public, including management of institutions, should adopt the following measures:
* Maintain good air circulation.
* Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet, handling diapers or other stool soiled materials.
* Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, e.g. after sneezing.
* Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly.
* Clean children's toys and other objects thoroughly and frequently with 1:99 diluted household bleach, followed by rinsing/wiping with clean water.
* Children who are ill should be kept out of school until their fever and rash have subsided and all the vesicles have dried and crusted.
* Avoid going to overcrowded places.
For more advice on the prevention of HFMD, people may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Department's Central Health Education Unit hotline 2833 0111.
Ends/Monday, November 24, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:31
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