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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 4) investigated an imported case of severe paediatric enterovirus (EV) infection and urged the public to be vigilant against disease.
The case involved a 7-year-old girl with good past health. She presented with fever, vomiting and neck stiffness since October 5 and was admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital on the same day. Her condition was stable and she was discharged on October 11.
The clinical diagnosis was meningitis. Her cerebrospinal fluid specimen tested positive for echovirus type 30, a kind of enterovirus, by the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the CHP.
Initial investigation revealed that the girl lives in Shenzhen. Her 3-year-old brother and 13-year-old sister sought medical consultation respectively in September and October, and were both diagnosed as having upper respiratory tract infection. No hospitalisation was required and both of them had recovered. Her 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/Monday, November 4, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:11
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