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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 6) investigating a confirmed case of Enterovirus-71 (EV71) infection involving a two-year-old boy and urged the public to be vigilant against the disease.
A CHP spokesman said the boy had presented with fever, vesicles and rashes over his hands and feet since March 16. He was admitted to a private hospital in Kowloon on March 20 and discharged on March 22.
His stool specimen grew EV71 virus.
The CHP's investigation revealed that the boy lived and attended a kindergarten in the Mainland. He came to Hong Kong for medical consultation on March 17 and went back to the Mainland on March 25.
The boy's home contact in Hong Kong had no symptoms of Hand-Food-Mouth-Disease.
This is the 13th case reported to the CHP this year. There were 16 cases of EV71 in 2006, 12 in 2007 and 98 in 2008.
For more information, people may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.
Ends/Monday, April 6, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:31
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