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The TWGHs Lions Club South Kln Nursery School in Sha Tin has been advised by the Department of Health's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) to suspend classes from tomorrow (June 5) for two weeks until June 18 following an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) affecting 16 pupils.
Fourteen boys and two girls, aged 2 to 7, have developed symptoms of HFMD, including oral ulcers, fever and rash on their hands or feet, since April 22. All of them sought medical treatment. Three pupils required hospitalisation. All the affected are now in stable condition.
The rectal and throat swabs of an affected pupil tested positive for enterovirus 71 (EV71) while the stool sample of another pupil tested positive for Coxsackie virus.
The school management has stepped up infection control measures according to the CHP's advice following its visits on May 9 and May 18. As one new case of HFMD has been reported, the school was advised to suspend classes for thorough disinfection and to stop virus transmission.
Another outbreak of HFMD has taken place at a nursery school in Yau Tsim Mong District, affecting 20 students aged between 2 and 5.
Those affected, comprising 11 boys and nine girls, have developed similar symptoms of HFMD since May 18.
Nineteen of them sought medical treatment. One student required hospitalisation. All affected children are in stable condition.
Staff of the CHP have conducted a site visit and provided health advice to the staff.
There have been 28 EV71 cases so far this year. There were 68 cases in 2011 and 101 in 2010.
A CHP spokesman reminded the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene during HFMD outbreaks and to adopt the following preventive measures:
* Maintain good indoor air circulation;
* Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet, handling diapers or other materials soiled with stool;
* Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are made dirty by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
* Cover the 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 diluted household bleach (by adding one part of household bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of water), 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/Monday, June 4, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:50
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