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CCC HK Council Fuk Yau Kindergarten cum Child Care Centre in Tsuen Wan has been advised to suspend classes from tomorrow (June 18) for two weeks until July 1, following investigation by the Department of Health's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) into a Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) outbreak at the school affecting 15 pupils.
The children developed symptoms of HFMD between June 1 and 16. One of the affected pupils was confirmed to have enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection. The pupil was a five-year-old girl who had her infection confirmed on June 12. She consulted private doctor and required no hospitalisation.
All affected pupils are in stable condition. No hospitalisation was required.
The school management had stepped up cleansing measures according to CHP's advice following the Centre's visit on June 10 and 14. As three more students were reported today (July 17) to be affected with HFMD, the CHP advised the school to suspend classes from tomorrow for two weeks for thorough disinfection.
Investigation continues.
The CHP's spokesman reminded the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene during the current HFMD outbreaks and to adopt the following preventive 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/Thursday, June 17, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:15
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