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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 involving a three-year-old girl, the fifth case this year, and urged the public to be vigilant against the disease.
A CHP spokesman said today (March 20) that the girl had presented with fever, cough, runny nose, oral ulcers and rash over hands and feet since March 13. She was admitted to a private hospital in Kowloon on March 16 and discharged on March 19.
Her stool specimen tested positive for EV71.
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Family and school contacts of the girl had no symptoms of the disease.
The spokesman said the CHP had advised the school to do a thorough disinfection to prevent the spread of the disease.
"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," he said.
There were 16, 12 and 98 cases of EV71 in 2006, 2007 and 2008 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/Friday, March 20, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:07
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