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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has repeated its call for vigilance against hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) as two reports of enteroviral meningitis were received today (June 11).
The first case, one of confirmed enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection, involved an eight-year-old girl who presented with on and off fever and sore throat since June 1. She vomited and complained of headache after convulsion on June 4 and was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The clinical diagnosis was viral meningitis.
She is currently in stable condition. Viral culture of her nasopharyngeal aspirate today grew EV71 . Her home contacts were asymptomatic. She studies at Maryknoll Convent School (Primary Section) and there was no recent HFMD outbreak.
In the second case, CHP was notified by Tseung Kwan O Hospital (TKOH) today about a confirmed case of EV infection. The patient was a two-month-old baby boy who presented with fever since June 3. He was admitted to TKOH on June 7. The clinical diagnosis was viral meningitis. His cerebrospinal fluid was found positive today for enterovirus. The stool and nasopharyngeal swab was also positive for Coxsackie virus group B type 4. He is still in TKOH and is now in stable condition.
The spokesman called on the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent HFMD. They should adopt the following measures:
* Maintain good air circulation;
* Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet, handling diapers or other stool soiled materials;
* Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are made dirty by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
* Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly;
* Clean children's toys and other objects thoroughly and frequently with 1:49 diluted household bleach, followed by rinsing/wiping with clean water;
* Children who are ill should be kept out of school until their fever and rash have subsided and all the vesicles have dried and crusted; and
* Avoid going to overcrowded places.
Ends/Friday, June 11, 2010
Issued at HKT 21:42
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