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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 11) provided an update on a confirmed imported case of severe paediatric enterovirus (EV) infection involving a 5-year-old girl reported yesterday.
The laboratory results showed that stool specimens from the 5-year-old-girl and her two elder brothers, both aged 7, tested positive for EV but negative for EV71 by RT-Polymerase Chain Reaction.
The three children live in Mainland China. They presented with fever, headache and neck stiffness since July 1 and travelled to Hong Kong for treatment on July 4. They were admitted to Hong Kong Adventist Hospital on the same day. Their clinical diagnoses were meningitis due to EV infection and the three children are now in stable condition.
The CHP investigation is continuing.
A CHP spokesman said that as EV infection is transmitted by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, or the stool of infected persons, the public should be vigilant against the disease and observe the following preventive measures:
* Wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet and changing diapers;
* Cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing;
* Never share personal items such as towels and eating utensils;
* Maintain good ventilation; and
* Thoroughly clean toys or appliances which are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions.
Children suffering from the infection should stay at home and avoid contacting other children until they have recovered.
For more information, people may visit the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the Central Health Education Hotline 2833 0111.
Ends/Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:16
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