************************************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 30) investigated a case of severe paediatric enterovirus (EV) infection and urged the public to be vigilant against disease.
The case involved a 1-year-old boy with underlying medical conditions. He presented with fever and convulsion on October 25. He was transferred to the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital on the same day and was admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for further management. He was transferred to a general paediatric ward later and is now in stable condition.
The clinical diagnosis was encephalitis and arterial infarct. His cerebrospinal fluid specimen tested positive for EV and his throat swab showed Coxsackie virus group A type 6 positive.
The boy had no travel history. His 5-year-old brother and 3-year-old sister attended medical consultation on October 29. His brother was diagnosed as having upper respiratory tract infection while his sister was diagnosed as having tonsillitis. They were all in stable condition and no hospitalisation was required. His parents remained asymptomatic.
The CHP investigation is continuing.
A CHP spokesman said that as EV infection is transmitted by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, 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;
* 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, October 30, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:59
NNNN
