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The higher number of adult cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and enterovirus infection with serious complications this year has been attributed to the greater incidence of enterovirus infection overall and not to a genetic mutation of enterovirus.
The Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, Dr Thomas Tsang, said today (June 11) that Hong Kong is experiencing a high season of HFMD and enterovirus infection in 2010 as a result of cyclical epidemic behaviour and regional increase in virus activity.
"Enteroviruses of multiple types are circulating in the community, and EV71 is associated with a higher chance of developing neurological complications," Dr Tsang explained.
"The proportion of adults among cases with neurological complications is not higher than in previous years, and different types of enteroviruses were involved in these adult cases. Genetic sequencing studies of circulating enteroviruses found that they are similar to those in previous years," he said.
"The above analysis indicates that the higher number of adult cases with complications this year is attributable to a greater incidence of enterovirus infection overall and not to genetic mutation of enteroviruses occurring this year in Hong Kong."
The CHP will continue to closely monitor the situation and keep the public updated on the latest situation. A daily update of the HFMD and EV71 situation has been put up on the CHP website.
To alleviate the impact of the HFMD epidemic, Dr Tsang urged members of the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent infection, seek medical advice when there are symptoms of HFMD or herpangina, and refrain from going to school or work before all symptoms subside.
He said, "personal hygiene remains the mainstay of measures for parents and other care-takers of infected children and other household members to reduce household infection."
Ends/Friday, June 11, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:09
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