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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 20) is investigating a confirmed case of Enterovirus-71 (EV71) infection involving a one-year-old boy, the 17th case this year and urged the public to be vigilant against the disease.
A CHP spokesman said that the boy had presented with vesicular rash over hands and feet and oral ulcers since April 16. He consulted private doctors on April 17 and 18. No hospitalisation was required. He is now in stable condition.
His stool specimen was tested positive for EV71.
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His family members do not have symptoms of Hand-Food-Mouth-Disease and the nurseries that the boy attended had no other case of Hand-Food-Mouth-Disease.
The spokesman said the CHP had advised the nurseries to do 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/Monday, April 20, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:32
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