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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 9) investigating a confirmed case of Enterovirus-71 (EV71) infection involving a two-year-old girl and urged the public to be vigilant against the disease.
A CHP spokesman said the girl started coughing on April 4 and presented with rash over hands and oral ulcers on April 6. She sought medical treatment from a private doctor on April 6 and did not require hospitalisation. She is now in stable condition.
Her stool specimen tested positive for EV71.
The girl's family members are asymptomatic. Six other children of the nursery school that she attended developed symptoms of Hand Foot Mouth Disease from March 19. CHP is closely monitoring the situation.
This is the 16th 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/Thursday, April 9, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:01
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