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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 22) repeated its call for vigilance against hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and enterovirus (EV) infections upon receiving a report of a case of enteroviral meningitis.
The patient was a 17-day-old baby girl born in Hong Kong. She developed a fever on June 15 and was admitted to Caritas Medical Centre on June 17.
Her cerebrospinal fluid tested positive for EV. Further laboratory tests are in progress.
The girl is now in stable condition.
Her two-year-old brother also had fever on June 20. He sought medical attention and is now in stable condition. Other home contacts are asymptomatic.
The spokesman called on the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene during the current HFMD outbreaks and to adopt the following measures to prevent HFMD and EV infection.
* 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/Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:22
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