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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 8) investigating a confirmed case of Enterovirus-71 (EV71) infection involving a 1-year-old boy and urged the public to be vigilant against the disease.
A CHP spokesman said the boy, living on the Mainland, presented with fever, cough, runny nose, rash over hands and feet and oral ulcers on April 1. He came to Hong Kong on April 2 and attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital. He was not admitted to hospital and is now in a stable condition.
His stool specimen tested positive for EV71.
The boy's family members on the Mainland are asymptomatic.
This is the 15th 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/Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:01
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