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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 25) investigated a case of severe paediatric enterovirus (EV) 71 infection as well as an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) at a secondary school in Eastern District and urged the public to be vigilant against the disease.
The patient is a 13-year-old boy with good past health. He has presented with fever, sore throat, headache, neck stiffness and rash since November 7. He was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on November 14 and was admitted on the same day for further management.
The clinical diagnosis was meningitis and he has been in a stable condition all along. His stool specimen tested positive for EV71 upon testing by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch. Initial investigation revealed that the patient had no recent travel history. His home contacts remain asymptomatic.
A CHP spokesman noted that there was a HFMD outbreak in the secondary school in Eastern District, which the patient attended as a form two student.
Apart from the patient, 12 form two students, comprising nine boys and three girls aged from 13 to 14, have developed fever, oral ulcers, rash and vesicles on their hands or feet since November 10. All affected pupils sought medical treatment and no hospitalisation is required. They are now in a stable condition.
Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit and advised the staff of the school on necessary infection control and preventive measures. The school has been put under medical surveillance. Investigations are ongoing.
"EV71 is one of the causative agents for HFMD. The infection is transmitted from person to person by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, saliva, fluid from blisters, or the stool of infected persons. Good personal and environmental hygiene are the most important measures to prevent EV71 infection," a spokesman for the CHP said.
To prevent HFMD, members of the public, and especially the management of institutions, should take heed of the following preventive measures:
* Maintain good air circulation;
* Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet or handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials;
* Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
* Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and oral discharges properly;
* Clean children's toys and other objects thoroughly and frequently with diluted household bleach (by adding one part of household bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite to 49 parts of water), followed by rinsing or wiping with clean water;
* Children who are ill should be kept out of school until their fever and rash have subsided and all the vesicles have dried and crusted;
* Avoid going to overcrowded places; and
* Parents should maintain close communication with schools to let them know the latest situation of the sick children.
The public may visit the CHP's page on HFMD and EV71 infection (www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/16354.html) for more information.
Ends/Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:29
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