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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 25) investigating two cases of severe paediatric enterovirus (EV) infection and urged the public to be vigilant against the disease.
One of the patients is a 2-month-old baby boy with good past health. He has presented with fever, skin rash and poor feeding since June 14 and consulted private doctors from June 15 to 18 but symptoms persisted. He was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of Tuen Mun Hospital on June 19 and was admitted to the paediatric ward for management.
The clinical diagnosis was meningitis and he has been in stable condition all along. His rectal swab tested positive for EV71 upon testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB).
The CHP's initial enquiries revealed that the baby had no recent travel history. Among the baby's home contacts, one has developed fever and upper respiratory tract (URT) symptoms since June 15 and has recovered, while the remaining home contacts have been asymptomatic.
The other patient is a 2-year-old boy with good past health. He has presented with fever, headache and vomiting since June 19 and was taken to the AED of Kwong Wah Hospital on June 21 and was admitted for management.
The clinical diagnosis was EV infection complicated with meningitis and he is now in stable condition. His cerebrospinal fluid specimen tested positive for EV upon the PHLSB's testing.
Initial enquiries revealed that the patient lives in Zhaoqing, Guangdong. Among his home contacts, one has presented with URT symptoms since June 11 and has recovered, while the remaining ones have been asymptomatic.
The CHP's investigations are ongoing.
A spokesman for the CHP said that as EV infection is transmitted by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, the public should be 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 EV 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/Thursday, June 25, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:00
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