*********************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 9) investigating a fatal paediatric case involving a 9-year-old girl.
The patient, with good past health, presented with fever, epigastric pain and vomiting on January 5 and was admitted to the paediatric ward of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in the morning of January 7. Her condition rapidly deteriorated after admission and she passed away on the same day.
The provisional clinical diagnosis was acute myocarditis.
Her respiratory and rectal specimens taken on January 7 have been tested negative for influenza and enterovirus by the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the CHP. The laboratory testing for other pathogens is in progress.
She had no recent travel history and her family contacts are asymptomatic.
The case has been referred to the Coroner. The CHP's investigation is continuing.
Ends/Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:06
NNNN
