**********************************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (June 11) investigating a case of severe paediatric enterovirus (EV) infection and hence urged the public to stay vigilant.
The patient is a 9-year-old girl with good past health. She presented with fever, vomiting and headache since June 4. She was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital on June 6 and was admitted on the same day. She is now in stable condition.
The clinical diagnosis was meningitis. Her cerebrospinal fluid tested positive for EV upon preliminary laboratory testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch.
Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient travelled to Shenzhen with her family from May 31 to June 2. Her 10-year-old elder sister also developed similar symptoms. She was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital on June 6 and was discharged on June 10. Other home contacts remained asymptomatic. The CHP's investigation is continuing.
A spokesman for the CHP said that as EV infection is transmitted by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, the public should remain vigilant 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 contact with other children until they have recovered.
For more information, the public may visit the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk) or call the DH's Health Education Hotline (2833 0111).
Ends/Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:53
NNNN
